European Commission Speech Brussels, 16 Oct 2025 Dear Chair Benea,
Dear Chair Cordeiro,
Honourable members,
Many thanks for this invitation – it is a great pleasure to be here.
My apologies if I have to leave …
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European Commission Speech Tallinn, 15 Oct 2025 Honourable Members of the Riigikogu,
It is a privilege to be here in Tallinn, and to address you in this historic building so closely linked with the Estonian i…
Statement by President von der Leyen with Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Krišto
European Commission Statement Brussels, 14 Oct 2025 Dear Borjana,
Thank you for your warm welcome. I was very deeply moved by my visit to Srebrenica. We commemorate thirty years since one of the darkest chapters …
Statement by President von der Leyen with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group
European Commission Statement Brussels, 08 Oct 2025 President Banga,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Brussels. The World Bank is a valued partner in rolling out Global Gateway. I want to t…
Speech by Commissioner Lahbib on Supporting Women and Communities affected by the Earthquakes in Afghanistan
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Press release – COP30: MEPs want EU climate policy to maintain a high degree of ambition
On Monday evening, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety adopted its policy demands for the UN Climate Change Conference COP30.Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Source : © European Union, 2025 – EP
In landmark labour case, UN World Court weighs in on right to strike
The case stems from a 2023 request by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which asked the Court for an advisory opinion on whether the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) includes the right to strike.
Adopted in the aftermath of World War Two, Convention 87 is a cornerstone of international labour law, guaranteeing workers and employers the right to form and join organizations of their choosing. It does not explicitly mention strikes, but advocates have long interpreted freedom of association to include that right.
ICJ President Yūji Iwasawa began Monday’s proceedings by reading the formal question to the judges, referencing the ILO’s resolution and the Court’s procedural authority. He noted the “tripartite structure of the ILO, which is comprised of representatives of governments, employers and workers.”
A rare request
Tomi Kohiyama, ILO Legal Adviser, recalled that the ILO had not appeared before the ICJ in a consultative capacity since 1932, underscoring the rarity of such requests.
She said the ILO secretariat would not take a position on subject but would assist the Court by clarifying institutional context and interpretative approaches under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
“The participation of organisations of employers and workers … is without precedent in the history of your august institution,” she added, referring to the ILO’s tripartite nature.
Three voices of ILO
Founded in 1919, the ILO is unique within the UN system for its tripartite structure, bringing together representatives of governments, employers and workers to set international labour standards.
That balance, however, has sometimes led to deadlock – most notably in 2012, when employer groups challenged whether Conventions No. 87 and 98 recognize a right to strike.
The headquarters building of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva.
Arguments from labour and business
Paapa Danquah, speaking for the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), described strikes as a timeless expression of collective action.
“Strike action has been our vital tool … to improve labour conditions and to defend our human dignities,” he told the court.
He argued that the right to strike is inherently part of freedom of association and thus should be recognized as protected under Convention No. 87.
In contrast, Roberto Suárez Santos, on behalf of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), asserted that while the right to strike is not objectionable in principle, Convention No. 87 neither explicitly nor implicitly covers the right to strike.
He warned that to read it into the Convention now would impose a prescriptive regime – defining modalities of strike – that could disrupt nuanced national labour systems.
He expressed that the proper path would be consensus within the ILO’s tripartite bodies, not unilateral judicial elevation of standards.
ICJ advisory opinions
Over three days of hearings, 21 countries and organizations are expected to take the stand, with 31 written statements already filed in the ICJ Registry – reflecting global interest in the outcome.
The Court’s advisory opinion, expected in the coming months, will not be legally binding but could profoundly influence international and national labour law.
In the historic work case, the United Nations World Court weighs on the right to strike
The case stems from a request of 2023 by the Administration of the International Labor Organization (Ilo),, requested the court for an advisory opinion on the question of whether the Freedom of association and protection of the right to organize the Convention, 1948 (n ° 87) Includes the right to strike.
Adopted following the Second World War, Convention 87 is the cornerstone of international labor law, guaranteeing workers and employers the right to train and join the organizations of their choice. He does not explicitly mention the strikes, but the defenders have long interpreted the freedom of association to include this right.
Icj President Yūji Iwasawa started the procedure on Monday by reading the official question to the judges, referring to the resolution of the ILO and the procedural authority of the court. He noted the “tripartite structure of the ILO, which is made up of representatives of governments, employers and workers”.
Rare demand
Tomi Kohiyama, ILO legal advisor, recalled that the ILO had not appeared before the ICJ as an advisory basis since 1932, highlighting the scarcity of these requests.
She said the ILO Secretariat would not take a position on the subject but would help the court by clarifying the institutional context and interpretative approaches under the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties.
“The participation of employer and workers’ organizations … is unprecedented in the history of your August institution,” she added, referring to the tripartite nature of the ILO.
Three voices
Founded in 1919, the ILO is unique in the United Nations System for its tripartite structurebringing together representatives of governments,, employers And workers To establish international labor standards.
This balance, however, has sometimes led to an impasse – especially in 2012, when the employers of employers disputed if agreements No. 87 and 98 recognize a right to strike.
The headquarters of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Geneva.
Labor and business arguments
Paapa Danquah, speaking for the Confederation of the International Syndicate (ItuC), describes strikes as a timeless expression of collective action.
“A strike action was our vital tool … to improve working conditions and defend our human dignities,” he told court.
He argued that the right to strike is intrinsically part of the freedom of association and should therefore be recognized as protected by the Convention No. 87.
On the other hand, Roberto Suárez Santos, on behalf of the International Organization of Employers (IOE), said that even if the right to strike is not reprehensible in principle, the Convention No. 87 does not explicitly or implicit the right to strike.
He warned that to read it in the Convention now imposes a normative regime – defining strike terms – which could disrupt nuanced national work systems.
He expressed that the appropriate path would be a consensus within the tripartite bodies of the ILO, and not a unilateral judicial elevation of the standards.
CIJ advisory opinions
More than three days of hearings, 21 countries and organizations should take a stand, with 31 written declarations already filed in the ICJ register – reflecting world interest in the result.
The courtyard advisory opinionScheduled in the coming months, will not be legally binding but could deeply influence international and national labor law.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Gaza: Major UN aid operation ‘ready to go’ if agreement is reached on US peace plan
That’s according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing correspondents in New York on Monday as indirect talks got underway in Egypt, which has been mediating negotiations along with Qatar and the United States to end the war between Israel and Hamas.
On Friday, Hamas said it agreed to significant parts of the 20-point US peace proposal, including the release of all Israeli hostages alive and dead, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
One of the US proposals is for entry and distribution of aid into Gaza to proceed “without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies and the Red Crescent.”
Waiting for a green light
Mr. Dujarric said in response to questions that the UN is “ready to go as soon as we get the green light…There are thousands of metric tonnes in the pipeline of goods ready to enter.”
Qatari and Egyptian negotiators are reportedly holding meetings with delegations from both Israel and Hamas in Sharm El-Sheikh late on Monday as hopes rise of a possible end to the conflict which began exactly two years ago with the Hamas-led terror attacks on communities in southern Israel.
Israeli strikes on Gaza have continued despite a call from US President Donald Trump to pause its bombing campaign. Local health authorities reported that 21 Palestinians had been killed on Sunday, with 96 injured.
The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reports a reduction in air strikes in recent days – but shelling and gunfire have continued.
Emergency funds released
Mr. Dujarric said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher had allocated $9 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) on Monday to ensure adequate fuel supplies to keep life-saving services running.
“Humanitarian access and movement across the Strip remain challenging,” Mr. Dujarric continued.
“Yesterday, eight missions that required coordination with the Israeli authorities were facilitated, but six other missions were denied, and five had to be cancelled by the organizers.”
Bakeries working flat out
The World Food Programme (WFP) has been able to deliver wheat flour to bakeries this month, which are “currently working up to 22 hours a day and producing some 100,000 bundles of bread daily.”
The UN and humanitarian partners prepared and distributed a total of 885,000 meals through 167 kitchens across Gaza on Saturday. However, only 12 kitchens are operating in the north.
“We and our partners stress the need for unimpeded and sustained access to all parts of Gaza so that aid can reach people, wherever they are,” said the UN Spokesperson.
Displacement sites and shelters in the south are overcrowded, driving some families to stay at garbage dumping sites such as Al Amal, where some 70 tents have been set up over the past few days.
OCHA stressed that UN aid teams and partners continue to do whatever they can to meet people’s urgent needs across the Strip, despite the ongoing violence, limited supplies and restricted access.
Release the hostages to Gaza “unconditionally and immediately”: guterres
“The attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals,” he said in a statement.
“More than 250 others have been removed and taken to the Gaza Strip as hostages, including women, children and the elderly. That day, we remember all those who were killed and suffered horrible violence. The horror of this dark day will always be seized in the memories of all of us. “”
Held under deplorable conditions
It is estimated that 48 hostages remain captive. It is believed that some 20 years are alive while 28 are probably died.
Those who still live are detained in deplorable conditions, said the UN chief, who met some of the hostage families and survivors who shared their heartbreaking experiences.
“” I said it over and over again“, He added.
The Gaza Ministry of Health has reported that since October 7, 2023, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 170,000 injured during the Israel offensive.
“” Put an end to suffering for all. It is a humanitarian disaster on a scale that defies understanding, ”said Mr. Guterres.
He called on all fighters to end the fighting in Gaza, Israel and in the region in the broad sense: “Stop paying civilians with their life and their future”.
‘We have to choose hope’
With indirect talks in progress in Sharm El-Sheikh between the negotiators of Israel and Hamas in order to reach a complete agreement on the Peace Plan of the United States 20 points, the UN chief said it was time to seize the opportunity to end the war.
“” After two years of trauma, we must choose hope – now. The recent proposal by American president Donald J. Trump presents an opportunity that must be seized to put an end to this tragic conflict, “he added.
Hamas said that it would accept parts of the American plan, including the release of all hostages, both alive and deceased. But the problems of total disarmament and the post-war role of the group remain.
The secretary general said that a permanent cease-fire and “a credible political process are essential to prevent other blood effusions and pave the way for peace”, on the basis of international law.
The UN remains unshakable in its commitment to supporting lasting peace, he added.
“Let us honor the memory of all the victims by working for the only way to follow: a just and lasting peace, in which the Israelis, the Palestinians and all the peoples of the region live side by side in terms of security, dignity and mutual respect”, the ” statement concluded.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
