Conference on Woman, Life, Freedom, and Resistance

Luxembourg - April 23, 2024

In collaboration with the National Museum of Resistance of Luxembourg and the Human Rights Association ACAT, the municipality of Esch-sur-Alzette is hosting the Conference on Woman, Life, Freedom, and Resistance on April 25, 2024, at 7:30 PM.

This conference will delve into the resilience of women fighters during times of conflict and revolution, particularly focusing on Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran, where women have often been the primary victims of wars and upheavals.

The Conference on Woman, Life, Freedom, and Resistance aims to amplify the voices of women who have experienced violations of their rights and highlight their journeys of resistance in various contexts of conflict or revolution.

The opening speech by Dr. Farah Dustdar, a political science expert, will address the women's uprising from 2022 to 2024 in Iran, exploring its inception, repercussions, and current status.

Following the opening, Dr. Dalia Elzeihery, Marjan Abassi, and Najmeh Soroush will share their stories and experiences from Egypt, Afghanistan, and Iran respectively, enriching the discussion with diverse perspectives.

The conference will be conducted in both French and English. Registration is open via email at egalitedeschances@villeesch.lu.

Details:

Date: April 25, 2024, at 7:30 PM

Location: Musée National de la Résistance et des Droits Humains, Place de la Résistance / L-4041 Esch-sur-Alzette. 

Warning Issued: Do Not Consume This Pasta and Return it to the Store

Luxembourg - April 23, 2024

Delhaize chain stores have removed fresh pasta products, including spinach and Indian almond pesto, due to "cross-contamination with peanut allergen". The chain has advised customers who have purchased the product to return it to the stores and refrain from consuming it.

Customers returning the affected product to the point of sale where it was purchased can receive a refund. This type of pasta has been on the market from March 7 to April 18.

The Right to Abortion: A Perpetually Contested Issue Depending on the Governing Regime

Luxembourg - April 23, 2024

While France made a historic decision by enshrining the right to abortion in its constitution on March 4, 2024, and the United States has seen a retreat from this right, could there be a change in status quo with the advent of a new government in Luxembourg?

"The right to abortion is a right that, depending on the current government, can always be called into question."

Since December 17, 2014, all Luxembourgers have had the right to abortion. Medically, termination is permissible through medication up to seven weeks of pregnancy and through surgery up to 12 weeks. However, this right is not explicitly registered in Luxembourg's constitution and can always be called into question depending on the current government. In 2022, according to the latest planning report, 645 abortions were carried out in Luxembourg. This is in contrast to "the long years in Luxembourg before the vote on this abortion law when abortion remained illegal."

Despite this law, there still exists "pressure from various religious and conservative groups, and sometimes even from the medical community," leading to a "sinful situation for women." This act remains a taboo issue in itself. The shame stemming from socio-cultural pressures persists in clichés. Significant progress has been made in Luxembourg, but there is always room for improvement and vigilance.

In the United States, the overturning of the Roe v. Wade law in June 2022 has caused severe concern in many countries, including Luxembourg. The ongoing developments are deeply troubling, especially considering the new government's opposition to the right to abortion, which is largely seen as a male-dominated and religious decision.

Use of Electronic Parking Discs Still Prohibited in Luxembourg

Luxembourg - April 23, 2024

While automatic parking discs are permitted under specific conditions in Germany, their use remains prohibited in Luxembourg.

In Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, the use of electronic parking discs is allowed under "specific conditions," but in Luxembourg, it continues to be banned. The Minister of Transport, regarding the possibility of changing these regulations, notes that there is no "planned agenda" to grant approval for these automatic parking discs, whose adoption is "spontaneous" thanks to the internal clock mechanism.

"The parking disc must comply with the European model presented in Article 167 of the Highway Code," declares the Minister of Transport. This must be an analog parking disc that cannot automatically change information or be tampered with in any way from the outside.

In Luxembourg, drivers parking their vehicles in the mentioned areas must place the parking disc with the time when their vehicle is stationary and turned off before exiting the car. The disc should be placed on the inner side of the front windshield of their vehicle in a visible position so that the front side of the disc is visible to municipal officers and police. The readable time from the outside is also explained in the highway code. Displaying incorrect stationary times and changing the initial time indicator without the vehicle moving is also prohibited.

Rise in Chlamydia Cases Raises Concerns in Luxembourg

Luxembourg - April 23, 2024

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise across Europe, and unfortunately, Luxembourg is not immune to this trend.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recently reported an increase in STD cases across Europe. This has sparked concerns among some members of the Luxembourg Parliament.

Of particular note is the increase in chlamydia cases, which rose from 1003 in 2020 to 1527 in 2022, representing a more than 50% increase over two years. Cases of gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and MPOX have also been on the rise during the same period.

Chlamydia is a highly common bacterial infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. It spreads through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Chlamydia infection can be transmitted through semen, pre-seminal fluid, and vaginal fluids. It can infect the genitals, vagina, cervix, anus, urethra, eyes, and throat. Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms and feel perfectly fine, so they may not even know they're infected.

The Minister of Health stated that a national plan to promote emotional and sexual health is being planned to prevent the progression of STDs in Luxembourg. He said that the need for the distribution of free condoms "will be considered on a larger scale."

In this regard, the Minister of Health recalled that the Ministry of Health has been distributing condoms in schools and organizing important events for years. He also indicated that condom packs are distributed free of charge through approved institutions among vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, an awareness campaign about STDs will be organized at the end of the year.