International

COVAX, an initiative to promote fair access to a COVID-19 vaccine

There are at least 170 Coronavirus vaccine projects. Of these, less than 10 are in phase III of their clinical trials. This is the stage which determines their success or failure. Based on this scenario, 165 nations have expressed their interest in participating in COVAX, an initiative that guarantees equal access to a functional vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that in August, 75 of those 165 countries showed interest in funding a portfolio of vaccines with the highest probability of success. These countries have agreed to share the success of the vaccines with 90 countries that do not have the resources or have weaker health systems.

Approximately 60% of the population would have access to the vaccine. In this regard, Seth Berkley said that the COVAX initiative could be the only global solution. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico have stated that they are in favor of COVAX. However, the United States, China, the European Union and Russia have said they will not join the initiative for the time being.

International

Klaus Iohannis resigns as romanian president following growing opposition pressure

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation on Monday, following growing pressure from populist opposition groups, two months after a higher court annulled a presidential election in the European Union country.

“To free Romania from this crisis, I resign as President of Romania,” he said, adding that he would step down on February 12.

Iohannis, 65, had held the presidential office since 2014, having completed the maximum of two five-year terms. However, his presidency was extended in December after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential race just two days before the second-round vote on December 8.

This decision followed an unexpected victory by the far-right populist Calin Georgescu in the first round, which was followed by allegations of Russian interference and electoral violations.

International

Saudi PhD student’s sentence reduced to 4 years after Twitter activity

A Saudi PhD student from the University of Leeds in Britain has been released after her 34-year sentence for her activities on Twitter in Saudi Arabia was drastically reduced, a human rights group reported on Monday.

Salma al-Shehab, who has two children, was sentenced to 34 years in prison in 2022 for her tweets.

A London-based Saudi rights group, ALQST, announced her release. In January, ALQST and other organizations said that her sentence was reduced to four years in prison, with an additional four years suspended.

“She should now be granted full freedom, including the right to travel to complete her studies,” said the group.

International

Victims of Álvaro Uribe case request international observers for trial

Victims in the legal case against former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe have requested that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH), the United Nations, and other international organizations send observers to monitor the trial against the former leader.

“The victims’ group announces that it will appeal to the CIDH, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, and internationally recognized NGOs to designate international observers to attend the trial, in order to ensure the right to justice is upheld and that judges and magistrates imparting justice are respected,” said the victims, led by left-wing senator Iván Cepeda.

Last Thursday, the trial began against the former Colombian president on charges of bribery, process fraud, and bribery in criminal proceedings.

In this trial, in which for the first time a former Colombian president faces criminal charges, Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia will have to decide whether the Prosecution’s accusations against Uribe are valid or if, as the defense claims, Uribe is innocent of the charges.