Category: MIL-OSI

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Belarus: Long overdue release of political prisoners ‘must not mask scale of ongoing repression’

Source: Amnesty International –

Prisoners including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and prisoner of conscience Maryia Kalesnikava have been released

Reacting to the release by the Belarusian authorities of 123 individuals, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and Maryia Kalesnikava, prisoner of conscience and subject of Amnesty International’s Write for Rights 2024, Marie Struthers, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, said:

“We welcome reports that Maryia Kalesnikava and Ales Bialiatski are among those have been freed. But let’s be clear: the latest release doesn’t erase a system that still holds hundreds if not thousands of others languishing behind bars merely for speaking out. Nor does it mean justice for Ales, Maryia and all those who should not have spent a day in prison and suffered severe human rights violations.

“Maryia, Ales and all those freed today must receive full reparations for their ordeal. Every official suspected of responsibility for their wrongful imprisonments – no matter how senior – must be held accountable.

“We must also remember others whose release is long overdue. If this release is a part of political bargain, it only underscores the Belarusian authorities’ cynical treatment of people as pawns. The fate of the released and others like them must never depend on backroom deals. We call for the release of Marfa Rabkova, Nasta Loika and countless other prisoners in Belarus who are unjustly jailed on politically motivated grounds.”

Politically motivated abductions and arrests

Today (13 December) the Belarusian authorities released 123 prisoners, including opposition politician Maryia Kalesnikava and Ales Bialiatski, a leading human rights advocate and founder of the Viasna Human Rights Centre, following an agreement with the United States to ease sanctions on the country’s potash exports. The vice chair of Viasna Valiantsin Stefanovich, the organisation’s lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich and Kalesnikava’s close associate Maksim Znak are reportedly among the released.

On 7 September 2020, Maryia Kalesnikava was abducted by masked agents and taken towards the Ukrainian border, where she resisted deportation by tearing up her passport, after which she went missing. Later it transpired that she was arrested, charged with “undermining national security” and other fabricated offences, and on 6 September 2021 she received an 11-year prison sentence.

Ales Bialiatski was convicted in 2023 on charges of “tax evasion” and “financing actions deemed to violate public order” – charges widely seen as politically motivated – and had been serving a 10-year sentence in a penal colony.

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REACTION: STORM BYRON FLOODING IN GAZA

Source: Oxfam –

Responding to Storm Byron, which has caused widespread flooding in Gaza, Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam Occupied Palestinian Territory Policy lead said:

“Civilians are now wading through sewage, mud and debris, with no proper shelter. This is not a failure of preparedness or capacity; it’s the direct result of the systematic obstruction of aid. 

“The Israeli authorities continue to block the entry of basic shelter materials, fuel and water infrastructure, leaving people exposed to entirely preventable harm. When access is denied, storms become deadly. This suffering is being manufactured by policy, not weather.”

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Update 332 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Persistent instability in Ukraine’s electrical grid continues to challenge nuclear safety during the military conflict, at times causing disruptions in the availability of off-site power for the country’s main nuclear sites, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today. 

Early in the morning of 6 December, at 3:21am, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) suffered yet another loss of all off-site power – its 11th during the conflict – lasting for about half an hour when both of its remaining power lines were disconnected within 20 minutes of one another. 

At the time of the event, all available emergency diesel generators (EDGs) on site automatically started up to generate the electricity the plant needs to operate the water pumps used for reactor cooling and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. 

“While the emergency backup system functioned as designed, repeated loss of off-site power events increases operational stress and highlights the importance of maintaining reliable off-site power,” Director General Grossi said.

While the 330 kilovolt (kV) Ferosplavna-1 line was reconnected to the ZNPP after just 29 minutes, the 750 kV Dniprovska main power line was restored nine hours later. Earlier in the autumn, the ZNPP went for one month without any off-site power, the longest such event during the conflict. 

Elsewhere in Ukraine, widespread military activities last Saturday also affected the grid and external power supplies to the three operating nuclear power plants (NPPs), prompting them to reduce the output of several reactors. 

“These disruptions have resulted in fluctuating power outputs, temporary disconnections, and forced outages at some units. In several cases, units were taken off-line or operated at reduced capacity to maintain grid balance and prevent equipment damage following sudden protection actuations,” Director General Grossi said.

“In terms of nuclear safety and security, the fragile grid and power situation remains one of the biggest challenges. As the Seven Indispensable Pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict clearly state: there must be a secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites. All too often, this is far from the reality that our experts see on the ground,” he said.

On a more positive note, the operating NPPs’ nuclear safety systems have continued to function as intended, and emergency power supplies remain fully available. The IAEA teams based at Ukraine’s nuclear sites continue to monitor conditions closely and maintain communication with operators.

As part of the IAEA’s ongoing efforts to help prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict, an IAEA team is this month visiting more than 10 electrical substations, following recent attacks targeting key energy infrastructure. The 1-12 December mission is assessing the damage, reviewing repair efforts, and identifying practical steps to strengthen the resilience of off-site power supplies to the country’s NPPs. 

At the ZNPP on 5 December, the IAEA team observed an EDG test. At the full-load stage during the test, a smoke cloud and flames of up to a few metres high were suddenly seen shooting up from the EDG building’s exhaust chimney. The flames subsided after one-two minutes. The IAEA team was informed that the fire was caused by the ignition of accumulated soot in the exhaust system, that had been piled up during its prolonged operation during the October-November loss of off-site power event. After test completion, the team was informed by the ZNPP that it had been successful and that the EDG was put back to standby mode. The IAEA team later visited the EDG building and did not notice any issues with respect to nuclear safety. 

As part of the IAEA’s comprehensive programme of assistance, the physical protection department of Ukraine’s Central Enterprise for Radioactive Waste Management received four all-terrain vehicles. The delivery was funded by the United Kingdom. 

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IAEA reviews Viet Nam’s nuclear power infrastructure development

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Viet Nam has taken important actions towards adding nuclear power to its energy mix, including in developing the necessary infrastructure for a safe and sustainable nuclear power programme, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review mission.

An IAEA team of experts yesterday concluded an 11-day mission to Viet Nam to review its infrastructure development for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, which had been stopped in 2016. In 2024, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam decided to restart the project and the National Assembly of Viet Nam authorized the Government to allocate the necessary resources for its implementation.

The establishment of nuclear power is an objective of the Revised National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, which considers nuclear power as key for diversifying the national energy mix and strengthening energy security amidst Viet Nam’s steadily rising energy demand and economic growth in recent years.  The plan envisages the commissioning of two nuclear power plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2, during the 2030–2035 period, with a total capacity of 4,000–6,400 MW.

The Phase 2 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) was carried out from 1 to 11 December 2025, at the invitation of the Government of Viet Nam and hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The team reviewed the status of 19 nuclear infrastructure issues using the IAEA evaluation methodology for Phase 2 of the Milestones Approach, which evaluates the readiness of a country to invite bids or negotiate a contract for the first nuclear power plant. The team comprised of three experts from Brazil, Bulgaria and United Kingdom, as well as seven IAEA staff. 

The team identified good practices in government-enabling mechanisms for financing and procurement, as well as in leveraging existing expertise in environmental monitoring for nuclear projects, which could benefit other countries developing nuclear power.

“Viet Nam shows strong government commitment to reviving its nuclear power programme,” said mission team leader Eric Mathet, Operational Lead of the IAEA Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section. “The country is lying the groundwork for project delivery and is mobilising resources. The INIR mission will support the development of a comprehensive action plan for infrastructure development.” 

The team also made recommendations and suggestions aimed at assisting Viet Nam in making further progress in the development of its nuclear infrastructure and its readiness to build the first nuclear power plant in the country. 

The team also highlighted areas where further actions would benefit Viet Nam, including strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for the nuclear power programme, implementing plans to reinforce its human resource capacities across all areas, completing the preparatory work required for the contracting and construction stages, consolidating national strategies for the nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management, and increasing the effectiveness of coordination mechanisms among all stakeholders.

“The valuable and timely support of the IAEA is highly appreciated as well as the experience and companionship of experts which are of special importance to Vietnam in the process of completing the nuclear power infrastructure according to international standards and IAEA guidelines,” said Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam Le Xuan Dinh

The preliminary draft INIR report was delivered during the closing session of the mission by Aline Des Cloizeaux, Director, IAEA Division of Nuclear Power.

“The team concluded that Viet Nam has taken major steps to restart and accelerate the implementation of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project and the development of the required infrastructure. In 2025, Viet Nam enacted a new Atomic Energy Law and adopted special mechanisms to facilitate financial and contractual arrangements for the nuclear power plants.” she said during the presentation of the report in Hanoi.

Based on the outcomes of the INIR mission, the IAEA and Viet Nam will update their Integrated Workplan to continue providing coordinated support in line with the future development of the country’s nuclear power programme.

Viet Nam has already hosted INIR missions in the past, in 2009, 2012 and 2014. 

About INIR Missions

INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestones Approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases (consider, prepare and construct) and three milestones (decide, contract and commission/operate). INIR missions enable IAEA Member State representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in different countries.

In developing its recommendations, the INIR team considers the comments made by the relevant national organizations. Implementation of any of the team’s recommendations and suggestions is at the discretion of the Member State requesting the mission. The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the Member State develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure.

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UK: Amnesty warns of ‘crisis point’ as Palestine Action activists on hunger strike hospitalised

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to reports that five Palestine Action activists who are on hunger strike have been hospitalised, Kerry Moscogiuri, Director of Campaigns and Communications at Amnesty International UK, said:   

“Reports that Palestine Action activists on hunger strike have been hospitalised due to seriously deteriorating health send chills down the spine.  

“This is crisis point for these activists – prosecutors must drop the allegations of a ‘terrorism connection’ in these cases and end any excessively lengthy pre-trial detention. 

“Those on hunger strike are victims of the UK’s excessively broad terrorism laws which have been misused to escalate ordinary criminal prosecutions of direct-action protesters into terrorism cases. 

“Amnesty has consistently opposed the use of anti-terrorism powers in these cases. The use of terrorism laws to circumvent due process and impose harsher punishments on direct action protesters is a threat to expression and assembly rights for everyone.”  

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Tunisia: Authorities must immediately drop charges against humanitarian workers facing bogus criminal trial 

Source: Amnesty International –

Tunisian authorities must drop charges against six staff members of the Tunisian branch of the French NGO, France Terre d’Asile, who are facing a bogus criminal trial for their humanitarian work with refugees and migrants, and cease the relentless criminalization of civil society, Amnesty International said ahead of the opening of their trial on 15 December. 

Three of the Terre d’Asile Tunisie staff: Sherifa Riahi, Yadh Bousselmi and Mohamed Joo have been arbitrarily held in pretrial detention for over 19 months, along with local municipality staff who collaborated with them.   

“We call on the Tunisian authorities to respect their obligations under international human rights law, put an end to this injustice and ensure the release of NGO staff and those held arbitrarily with them from the municipality. They are being prosecuted simply for their legitimate work providing vital assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in precarious situations,” said Sara Hashash, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International. 

“The recent verdict against the Tunisian Council for Refugees staff confirms the criminalization of support for refugees and asylum seekers, coming after Tunisian authorities put an end to access to asylum in the country. It sends a chilling message to humanitarian workers and civil society organizations, who are often helping to fulfil states’ international obligations with regards to refugees’ and migrants’ rights as well as broader social and economic rights for the wider population.” 

The NGO staff face trial alongside 17 former municipality officials and employees accused of collaborating with the organization. It follows the sentencing to two years in prison on 24 November of two staff members from humanitarian NGO the Tunisian Council for Refugees (CTR), amid a deepening crackdown on civil society organizations that has contributed to the complete dismantling of protections for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in the country.

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Stories of hope and humanity to end the year

Source: Amnesty International –

Despite the stark challenges currently facing humanity, Amnesty International continues to witness how people from all over the world are demonstrating the importance of activism and the life-changing power of solidarity.

From holding governments to account and pursuing justice for survivors of gender-based violence, to freeing human rights defenders, here are some inspiring stories of hope and humanity from the past six months to take you into the new year.

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In Fukushima’s Evacuated Zone, International Experts Train for Effective Nuclear Emergency Response

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Nayana Jayarajan, IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

Workshop participants receive guidance on field sampling techniques in a formerly inhabited area. (Photo: IAEA).

In Fukushima Prefecture, the region which experienced a nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011, emergency response specialists from Ukraine, Southeast Asia and Australia converged for a week-long IAEA technical training on radiological emergency monitoring.  

The workshop, funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of its support to Ukraine, focused on strengthening international cooperation and prioritized Ukrainian participation, reflecting the country’s need for advanced emergency preparedness and response.  The IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET) Capacity Building Centre carried out the training at the Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation from 20 to 24 October 2025. 

“Japan’s experience in emergency response is not just a national asset—it’s a global resource,” said Karine Herviou, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “By sharing lessons learned in Fukushima Daiichi, we help build resilience far beyond Japan’s borders.” 

“Through the IAEA initiatives, Japan has been providing support to Ukraine, which is under threat to nuclear safety. We hope that this workshop will help strengthen Ukraine’s response capabilities in nuclear and radiological emergencies,” said Kenichiro Tanaka, Director of the International Nuclear Cooperation Division in Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Radiation Monitoring and Elemental Sampling

Participants received a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on fieldwork in some of Fukushima’s most affected areas. This included radiation monitoring and environmental sampling practice at sites like the former Kumamachi Elementary School in Okuma Town and Yasuragi-Sou, a community home for the elderly in Namie Town — both uninhabited since the disaster. Guided by trainers from the IAEA and Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, attendees used backpack survey systems, gamma spectrometers and contamination monitors to collect and interpret data under real-world conditions.

IAEA expert prepares field monitoring equipment for gamma spectroscopy measurements during the exercise. (Photo: IAEA).

Training in a Real World Environment

A central feature of the training was the use of the IAEA’s International Radiation Monitoring Information System. Participants uploaded field data to a secure training platform, learning how to visualize and analyse results for rapid decision-making during a nuclear or radiological emergency. 

“Training in a real-world environment — where radiation levels can be measured and emergency responses simulated — equips participants with skills they cannot acquire in a purely theoretical setting,” said Herviou. “This approach is especially valuable for countries like Ukraine, where the ability to respond quickly and effectively to radiological incidents is critical.” 

The workshop’s international roster included participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Ukraine, underscoring the IAEA’s commitment to capacity building across regions. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a longstanding partner in the IAEA’s emergency preparedness activities, continues to support these efforts, ensuring that the lessons of Fukushima inform global standards and practices. 

Looking ahead, the IAEA plans further workshops in Japan, such as the RANET Joint Assistance Team Exercise and a workshop on public communication during nuclear emergencies, which includes lessons on mitigating misinformation and disinformation.  

“The partnership between the IAEA, Japan and participating countries is vital for strengthening global nuclear safety,” Herviou said. “By training together in Fukushima, we are preparing for challenges that know no borders.” 

Participants collect environmental samples as part of hands-on radiological monitoring training. (Photo: IAEA).

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Myanmar: Deadly military air strike on hospital shows vicious disregard for right to life

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to reports of a Myanmar military air strike on a hospital in Rakhine State on Wednesday night, international Human Rights Day, Amnesty International’s Myanmar Researcher Joe Freeman said:

“Nowhere and no one is safe from the violence of the Myanmar military, which is widening its repression ahead of an election later this month which has been marked by human rights abuses. The latest attack on a hospital must be investigated as a violation of humanitarian law.

“Bombing a hospital on a global day dedicated to human rights shows the utter disregard that the Myanmar military has for civilians. Harrowing images of the aftermath of this attack, shared with Amnesty, indicate this was yet another air strike.

“The prevalence of such strikes by the Myanmar military in 2025, which have reached record levels this year, underline the urgent need to suspend jet fuel, weapons and dual-goods shipments to the country.

“Almost five years after the military coup, the international community must take concerted, targeted and effective action to hold perpetrators to account in Myanmar, including the much-needed and long-overdue referral by the UN Security Council of the full situation in all of Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.”

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UK: Government strategy does not match the urgency required to address unprecedented levels of homelessness

Source: Amnesty International –

Commenting on the Government’s homelessness strategy, Jen Clark, economic, social and cultural rights lead at Amnesty International UK said:

“Today’s plan acknowledges the scale of England’s homelessness crisis, but it does not match the urgency required to address unprecedented levels of homelessness. The government says it wants homelessness to be ‘rare, brief and a one-off,’ yet continues policies that actively undermine that goal: social security levels that are too low to meet basic needs, housing benefits frozen below real rents, sanctions that can remove 100% of a person’s income for missing a single appointment, and discriminatory housing eligibility rules. 

We welcome important steps such as strengthened renters’ protections, extending the Decent Homes Standard to temporary accommodation, removing local connection requirements for some groups, increased data transparency on out-of-area placements, and the ambition that no one should leave prison, hospital or care into homelessness. The new duty to collaborate locally is also a positive development.

But these commitments sit alongside at least eight new toolkits and pieces of guidance and multiple revisions to existing guidance, with a limited number that carry statutory force. Without enforceable protections, cross-government leadership, and meaningful action to tackle poverty, the plan will not address the structural drivers that push people into homelessness.

The previous government promised to end rough sleeping and failed to deliver. This government has set itself a less ambitious target, only to halve it. To avoid yet another cycle of promises without meaningful change, ministers must embed rights in statute and fix the wider systems, including social security, that are forcing people into crisis in the first place.”

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