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1. World Day for International Justice, observed on July 17th, promotes international criminal justice and the fight against impunity for serious crimes. It originated with the adoption of the Rome Statute on July 17, 1998, establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC, the first permanent international court, is independent of the United Nations and has jurisdiction over genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression committed after July 1, 2002. With 124 countries as States Parties to the Rome Statute, though India is not one, the ICC aims to ensure accountability for perpetrators of grave crimes. This day raises awareness about international justice mechanisms and their role in promoting global peace and security.
2. The Ministry of Culture launched Project PARI (Public Art of India) during the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in New Delhi. The project aims to showcase public art inspired by India's artistic heritage, blending traditional themes with modern techniques. Over 150 visual artists will create artworks such as wall paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations to beautify public spaces in Delhi. These sculptures will honor themes like nature, Natyashastra, Gandhi, Indian toys, ancient knowledge, Primeval Sound, Harmony of life, and the divine tree, Kalpataru. The World Heritage Committee, responsible for adding new sites to the UNESCO World Heritage List, is meeting in India for the first time in July 2024. India, with 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recently added the 'Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala,' comprising 34 cultural sites, 7 natural, and 1 mixed site.
3. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), a statutory body under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, evaluates and approves industrial projects requiring forest land. Recently, the FAC reprimanded the Odisha government for unauthorized construction on forest land for the Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri. The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 regulates deforestation and requires Central Government approval for diverting forest land for non-forest purposes. The Supreme Court's 1996 Godavarman judgment mandates forest protection, introducing the concept of deemed forests. States have varying definitions of forests, causing inconsistent estimates of deemed forest areas. The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, aims to clarify forest land scope, exempting certain land categories, but the Supreme Court maintains the traditional forest governance approach and mandates court approval for creating zoos or safaris.
4. The 2nd Retreat of the Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC was held in New Delhi, focusing on regional challenges, particularly the Myanmar crisis. This event, the first since the BIMSTEC Charter came into effect in 2024, highlighted the urgency of addressing capacity building and economic cooperation amid global and regional issues. Key discussions centered on the instability in Myanmar affecting developmental and connectivity projects among member countries. Humanitarian aid was also discussed, with India providing limited assistance to displaced populations in Mizoram. India maintains a cautious stance on the Myanmar crisis, cooperating on countering transnational crimes. Since the military junta's takeover in February 2021, opposition groups, including Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and the People's Defence Forces (PDFs), have resisted military rule, leading to intensified conflict and a humanitarian crisis. Approximately 2.6 million people have been displaced, and 18.6 million require humanitarian assistance. India balances expressing concern over disrupted democracy while engaging with the junta to protect its interests, particularly near the India-Myanmar border.
5. Euro 2024, the 17th UEFA European Championship, was held in Germany, with Spain winning their fourth title. The tournament, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), is a men's international football competition exclusive to European teams, founded in 1958 and first held in 1960. It is typically held every four years, though Euro 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic, and is the second most-watched football tournament worldwide after the FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, the 48th Copa América took place in the United States, where Argentina emerged victorious. Known as the America's Cup, this top men's international football tournament for South American teams is the oldest still-running continental football competition, dating back to 1916, and is considered the third most-watched football tournament globally.