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Body of Missing Baloch Activist Found; Family’s Tragic History Sparks Outcry

July 3, 2025, 2:11 pm

A wave of outrage and sorrow swept over Pakistan-administered Balochistan following the discovery of the body of young activist Zeeshan Ahmed, whose abduction a day earlier drew widespread protests. His killing has again exposed the dark trend of enforced disappearance in the conflict-torn province.

Zeeshan had campaigned for years for justice and the safe return of his father, Zaheer Ahmed, who was kidnapped in 2015 by Pakistan’s Frontier Corps. Zeeshan was 11 and his sister just 40 days old when his father went missing.

Abduction After Football Match

Zeeshan was last spotted on the night of June 29, shortly after he played a football match, Zeeshan’s last appearance was on the night of June 29, just after he played a football game, said the Baloch Yakjehti Committee.
>”He was walking towards home when two vehicles belonging to the state-backed death squad intercepted him,” the Committee said in a statement.

Eyewitnesses reported Zeeshan was beaten, had his hands tied up, and was pushed into one of the vehicles. As a reaction, his family members and local residents immediately blocked the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road in Panjgur and initiated a sit-in protest calling for his safe return.

Body with Evidence of Brutality

Protesters found Zeeshan’s body with evidence of brutality the next morning dumped in the same district. Activists reported gruesome injuries.

The body had signs of torture, bruises from sticks and blunt instrument, six bullets to the chest, and knife wounds deep,” the Baloch Yakjehti Committee declared.

The find has caused outrage across the country, particularly in Baloch civil society and human rights society.

Worsening Disappearance Crisis in Balochistan

Zeeshan’s murder is one of a grim pattern in Balochistan. At least 8,463 instances of enforced disappearance were reported between 2011 and 2024, reports Human Rights Watch.

The Pakistan Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances had documented 10,078 instances in the year 2024 alone, highlighting the magnitude of the crisis.

Pakistani human rights organisations and civil society organisations have long accused Pakistani security agencies of conducting extrajudicial killings and abductions in the province in the name of national security.

Zeeshan Ahmed’s killing — as was that of his father — is a destroyed family and an angry community. His tragic death renewed demands for justice and accountability in a province amidst an atmosphere of silence, fear, and impunity.

Trump Converts Abandoned Florida Airport Into ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Camp For Migrants

June 26, 2025, 12:56 pm

A remote airstrip in Florida’s Everglades is now the site of a massive migrant detention centre, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz. The facility, surrounded by alligators and swampland, is meant to house up to 1,000 undocumented immigrants as part of former President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation push. Trucks and tents are already pouring in to set up infrastructure at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, about 70 km from Miami.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier promoted the facility in a rock-music-backed video, saying, “If people get out, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons.” Environmentalists and human rights groups, however, see it as a disaster in the making. The critics fear that the Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, could suffer lasting harm.

🩸 Alligator Alcatraz 🐊 🔐 ⛓️
A 30-square-mile property, in the Everglades, which is currently a “virtually abandoned airport,” will soon be the site of a 5,000-bed facility to hold criminal illegal immigrants 🧊 pic.twitter.com/UxlXCRlXPB

— 🇺🇸 🇮🇹 Don’t Dox Me 🐆 🌺 (@VelvettyWords) June 24, 2025

Controversy Grows Around Detention Project

The Alligator Alcatraz site has quickly become a lightning rod for opposition. Miccosukee group member Betty Osceola joined recent protests, warning of long-term environmental destruction. “I have serious concerns about the environmental damage,” she said, while pointing to alligators swimming near the site.

Human rights groups like the ACLU have also condemned the plan. “It’s not just cruel and absurd,” the ACLU of Florida said. “It underscores how our immigration system is increasingly being used to punish people rather than process them.” Concerns include medical neglect, poor legal access, and systemic abuse issues already reported at ICE facilities in urban areas.

State Defends Alligator Alcatraz

Despite the backlash, state and federal officials stand by the Alligator Alcatraz plan. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called it “cost-effective and innovative.” FEMA will fund the project, and Governor Ron DeSantis hinted that more such centres may soon follow. “We’ll probably also do something similar up at Camp Blanding,” he said.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, whose county owns the airfield, said she raised concerns about funding and environmental risks. Still, construction moves ahead. As immigration raids increase nationwide, many undocumented Latinos in Florida now live in fear of being caught and sent to the swamp-based detention centre, far from civilisation and surrounded by danger.

Revenge Killings In Syria: 1,000 Dead In 2 Days, Women Paraded Naked

March 9, 2025, 8:22 am

Gunmen loyal to the current government launched “revenge killings” against the Alawite minority, long associated with former President Assad, on Thursday in Syria’s coastal region. The violent episode, concentrated in areas around Latakia and Baniyas, led to severe clashes in which, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 745 civilians, 125 government security personnel, and 148 militants were killed. Authorities have since restored order in most areas by closing roads leading to the region.

Widespread Destruction and Humanitarian Crisis

Along with the violent assaults, residents in Alawite-majority areas reported that essential services, including electricity and drinking water, were cut off. Homes were looted and set ablaze, and in some towns, like Baniyas, bodies were left unattended on streets and building rooftops. Disturbing accounts emerged of women being stripped and paraded naked before being shot, painting a grim picture of the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

Mass Exodus and Regional Implications

The brutal campaign against the Alawite community has led to a mass exodus, with many fleeing to neighboring Lebanon for safety, as noted by Lebanese politician Haidar Nasser. With the new regime in power for three months, critics argue that these acts are a deliberate attempt to purge those associated with Assad’s rule. The international community continues to monitor the situation as local authorities and humanitarian agencies work to restore stability and address the mounting crisis.

Jaishankar Highlights India’s Commitment to Human Rights at UNHRC

February 25, 2025, 11:04 pm

Geneva [Switzerland]: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address at the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), reiterated India’s dedication to human rights, democracy, and global cooperation.

Jaishankar emphasized that India’s commitment to human rights is deeply embedded in its values of global unity, openness, and mutual respect. He stated that these principles form the foundation of India’s constitutional framework, which guarantees fundamental rights while upholding justice, liberty, and equality.

India’s Continued Cooperation with UNHRC

Highlighting India’s active participation in the UNHRC, Jaishankar reaffirmed the country’s support for the Office of the High Commissioner and various council mechanisms.

“As an Observer in the Council this year, India remains firmly committed to working alongside all members and observers to protect and promote human rights for all,” he said.

Jaishankar assured that India will continue extending its cooperation with initiatives such as Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review.

2024 Lok Sabha Elections: A Testament to Democracy

The External Affairs Minister also highlighted India’s pluralistic and progressive ethos, citing the successful conduct of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He pointed out that over 100 crore people from diverse backgrounds exercised their right to vote, showcasing India’s democratic strength.

“India’s general elections allowed one-eighth of the world’s population to cast their vote. Our rich diversity is bound by a millennia-old tradition of coexistence and human dignity,” Jaishankar added.

He emphasized that this ethos drives India’s engagements within the UNHRC, fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and collective progress.

India’s Inclusive Growth and Social Progress

Jaishankar highlighted how inclusive policies have played a crucial role in India’s socio-economic progress. He noted that India has made significant strides in poverty alleviation, access to clean drinking water, and housing for marginalized communities.

“Rooted in inclusivity, India’s economic growth has lifted millions out of poverty while ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said.

Advancements in Infrastructure and Legal Reforms

Discussing India’s development, Jaishankar pointed out the nation’s unprecedented infrastructure expansion, digital advancements, and legal reforms.

“Technological innovations, new criminal laws, and good governance have laid the foundation for sustainable development. Education continues to empower future generations,” he remarked.

He also highlighted India’s digital public infrastructure, which has transformed governance and service delivery.

Hundreds Protest in London Against China’s ‘Mega Embassy’

February 8, 2025, 10:30 pm

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in London on Saturday to protest against Beijing’s planned new embassy, citing concerns over human rights and security threats. The embassy, if approved, would be the largest Chinese embassy in Europe, sparking opposition from residents, activists, and politicians.

Concerns Over Human Rights and Security

Protesters claim the new embassy could serve as a hub for harassing dissidents and conducting economic espionage. Iona Boswell, a 40-year-old social worker at the protest, stated, “There is no need for a mega embassy here. It would be used to facilitate the harassment of dissidents.”

Conservative lawmaker Tom Tugendhat also voiced concerns, warning that the embassy could be a threat to UK security, leading to increased espionage and silencing of critics of China’s Communist Party.

Location and Opposition

China has been planning to relocate its embassy from Marylebone to the historic Royal Mint site, near the Tower of London. The site, bought for $327 million in 2018, was once home to a Cistercian abbey built in 1348. However, the move has faced fierce opposition from residents, human rights groups, and political leaders.

UK’s Diplomatic Dilemma

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to rebuild ties with Beijing despite past tensions over China’s human rights record, particularly in Hong Kong. He met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil in November 2023, marking a thaw in relations.

The UK’s national planning inspector will conduct a public inquiry, but the final decision rests with Communities Secretary Angela Rayner. Opponents worry that Labour’s push for economic growth might override security and ethical concerns.

Western Nations’ Espionage Allegations

Western countries, including the US, UK, and New Zealand, have accused China of cyber espionage. In March 2024, they claimed Beijing-backed hackers targeted lawmakers and democratic institutions, allegations that China strongly denied.

With the UK government set to decide on the embassy’s fate, protesters remain determined to prevent its establishment, calling for greater scrutiny and national security safeguards.

Baloch Activist Exposes Disturbing Trend of Enforced Disappearances

January 13, 2025, 3:24 am

Prominent Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch has revealed a chilling trend in Balochistan, Pakistan, where individuals who are forcibly disappeared and later released face targeted killings.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she highlighted the tragic case of Zakaria Zaheer from Gwadar. He was abducted on September 27, 2023, released due to public pressure on November 13, and later gunned down on January 11, 2024.

“Barbaric Actions Will Not Be Tolerated”

Mahrang condemned these acts, stating,

“If they cannot keep the Baloch people in dungeons, they eliminate them. Such barbaric actions will not be tolerated and will spark massive anger and backlash.”

She noted that similar cases have been reported in Turbat and other parts of the province, illustrating a systematic attempt to suppress the Baloch community.

Struggles Along the Borderline

The activist also criticized the treatment of people living near the Pakistan-Balochistan border (Durand Line), calling it inhumane. She shared a video showing police personnel beating locals and explained the dire situation faced by residents:

“Men in uniform treat people worse than animals, shattering lives, severing cultural ties, and devastating trade.”

Despite the hardships imposed by unnecessary travel restrictions, harassment, and a colonial mindset, Mahrang emphasized the resilience of the Baloch people,

“You cannot break centuries-old bonds.

Workers Rescued from “Slavery-Like Conditions” at BYD Site

December 28, 2024, 6:27 am

In a shocking discovery, Brazil’s labor ministry rescued 163 Chinese workers who were reportedly subjected to “slavery-like conditions” at a factory construction site owned by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. The workers, employed by the Jinjiang Group, were relocated to hotels while authorities began negotiations to secure their rights and compensation.

The controversy has put a spotlight on the treatment of immigrant workers in Bahia, Brazil’s northeastern state, which is one of BYD’s largest overseas markets.

Details of Worker Exploitation

Investigators uncovered significant violations:

Passports withheld: 107 workers reportedly had their passports confiscated by Jinjiang, limiting their freedom of movement.
Degrading conditions: The workers were identified as potential victims of human trafficking.

Both BYD and Jinjiang deny wrongdoing. Jinjiang criticized the “slavery-like” label, calling it inaccurate, while BYD accused the media of targeting Chinese brands to strain diplomatic ties between Brazil and China.

Legal and Financial Repercussions

Brazil’s strict labor laws could impose severe consequences on the companies:

“Dirty List”: If proven guilty, BYD and Jinjiang could be added to Brazil’s “dirty list,” a public registry of employers found guilty of labor exploitation. Inclusion carries substantial reputation damage and bars access to bank loans.
Legal actions: Companies may face lawsuits and be required to pay damages to the victims and the Brazilian government.
Criminal charges: Executives could face charges of human trafficking and slavery-like practices, with sentences of up to eight years in prison.

Ongoing Negotiations and Support for Workers

Labor authorities are negotiating compensation for the workers, which may include back wages and severance payments. Additionally, the workers will receive unemployment benefits.

BYD has already agreed to fund return trips for seven employees scheduled to leave on January 1, covering travel costs up to $120 each.

Experts note that negotiations in such cases can take months, and the legal process could stretch over years due to appeals and internal reviews.

Rights of Victims

Human trafficking victims in Brazil have the option to stay in the country or return to their home countries. Organizations like I-MiGRa, which focus on combating trafficking, are involved in ensuring the workers’ rights are upheld

FIFA to Confirm Hosts for 2030 and 2034 World Cups

December 11, 2024, 10:38 am

FIFA is set to confirm the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups on Wednesday. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will host the 2030 tournament, which will span three continents and six countries. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will be the host for the 2034 World Cup.

Decision Expected to Be a Formality

In October last year, FIFA announced that there were no competing bids for either of the tournaments. As a result, Wednesday’s decision is expected to be a mere formality. It is anticipated that the vote will be accepted by “acclamation” rather than through a formal vote.

Norway to Reject Acclamation Process

However, the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has criticized FIFA’s bidding process. The NFF called it “flawed and inconsistent” and stated that it would vote against awarding the hosting rights by acclamation.

Details of the Bids

For the 2030 World Cup, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will host the main event, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay staging special celebratory matches. This marks the tournament’s centenary, with Uruguay, the host of the first World Cup in 1930, playing a key role. Initially, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay had proposed a joint bid, but now only the three South American countries will host individual matches.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, becoming the second Middle Eastern country to do so after Qatar in 2022. While Australia and Indonesia had considered a joint bid, they dropped out before Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole bidder.

Criticism of the Bids

Despite the excitement, both bids have faced criticism. The 2030 World Cup, which will be held across three continents, has drawn backlash from climate activists. They argue that the increased travel will negatively impact the environment. In response, FIFA has promised to take steps to mitigate the environmental impact.

Similarly, the 2034 World Cup bid by Saudi Arabia has been criticized due to the country’s human rights record and extreme desert climate. Many of these concerns were also raised during Qatar’s World Cup. Reports suggest that the 2034 tournament may be scheduled for January to avoid the extreme heat, potentially conflicting with the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. FIFA, however, has clarified that the Saudi bid did not specify a proposed timing. The organization will work with stakeholders to find the optimal schedule.

Human Rights Debate

Furthermore, a World Cup in Saudi Arabia has ignited debate over the Kingdom’s human rights record. Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) have urged FIFA to halt the process unless Saudi Arabia implements significant reforms. Critics accuse the country of using its investments in sports to “sportswash” its human rights record.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia denies these allegations. The Kingdom claims its laws are designed to protect national security. Hammad Albalawi, head of Saudi Arabia’s bid, stated that the country has made significant progress in improving human rights.

Russian Court Jailed Lawyer For Criticizing Army, Provoking Human Rights And UN Outrage

November 28, 2024, 5:12 pm

In recent Russian court has sentenced lawyer Dmitry Talantov to seven years in prison after convicting him of spreading false information about the Russian army and “inciting hatred.” The 63-year-old’s conviction stems from several Facebook posts in which he condemned the actions of Russian soldiers in Ukraine, referring to them as “extreme Nazi practices,” according to Mediazona, a news outlet designated as a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities.

Talantov denied the charges, and the court in Udmurtia, east of Moscow, confirmed his conviction on Thursday. His defense attorney was not immediately available for comment, and it remains unclear if Talantov intends to appeal the verdict.

Russian authorities have long maintained that the country must remain unified against what they claim is an existential threat from the West, casting critics of the military as traitors or “fifth-columnists.”

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights, Mariana Katzarova, called for Talantov’s immediate release, stating that his prosecution for peacefully expressing dissent violated international human rights law. “Talantov must be released immediately and exonerated of all criminal responsibility,” Katzarova said, adding that such acts of non-violent protest should be protected under international law.

Talantov, who was arrested in June 2022, had previously served as president of the bar association in Udmurtia. He had also been legal counsel for Ivan Safronov, a former military affairs reporter who was sentenced to 22 years in prison on treason charges in September 2022 for allegedly passing confidential information to Western intelligence agencies. Supporters of Safronov believe his conviction was retaliation for his investigative reporting on Russia’s arms trade.

Katzarova criticized Talantov’s trial as part of a broader pattern of repression in Russia against legal professionals. Two other lawyers who previously represented Safronov, Ivan Pavlov and Yevgeny Smirnov, fled the country after facing criminal investigations linked to their defense of the reporter.

As Russia tightens its control over dissent, Talantov’s conviction signals a growing crackdown on those who challenge the government’s stance on the war in Ukraine.

UN Against Saudi Arabia Bid For Human Rights Council, Says It’s ‘A Betrayal To Victims’

October 8, 2024, 5:55 pm

Human rights campaigners are warning against Saudi Arabia’s likely election to the United Nations Human Rights Council, calling it a significant blow to global efforts for justice and a “slap in the face” to victims of the regime. Despite attempts by the Saudi government to present itself as a reformed nation with advancements in gender equality and human rights, its record continues to face harsh criticism.

Accusations have been leveled against Saudi border guards for killing hundreds of Ethiopians attempting to cross from Yemen between 2022 and 2023, a crime some say could amount to crimes against humanity. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has yet to provide accountability for the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

This year alone, over 198 people have been executed in the kingdom, the highest number since 1990, with Amnesty International identifying some of those executed as political protesters. The regime has also sentenced several women to lengthy prison terms, often after secret trials, for advocating greater rights and freedoms via social media. One of these women, 30-year-old Manahel al-Otaibi, received an 11-year prison sentence after calling for an end to male guardianship laws.

Human rights groups were dismayed when Saudi Arabia was appointed in March to chair a UN commission aimed at promoting gender equality globally. Now, as the UN General Assembly prepares to elect 18 new members to the Human Rights Council for three-year terms beginning in 2025, concerns are mounting due to limited competition for council seats.

Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, stated, “A Saudi victory would be a slap in the face to the many victims of Saudi abuses,” referencing the Ethiopian migrants, Yemeni war crime victims, and the family of Jamal Khashoggi. He urged council members who value human rights to work diligently to prevent Saudi Arabia and other abusive regimes from undermining the council’s efforts.

Watch: Hindu Boy Brutally Killed In Bangladesh Police Station Over Blasphemy Accusation

September 6, 2024, 9:34 am

In a shocking incident, 15-year-old Utsav Mandol, a Hindu student, was brutally beaten and hacked to death inside a police station in Khulna City, Bangladesh. He had been accused of posting “objectionable comments” about Prophet Muhammad on social media, leading to a tragic mob lynching.

Mob Storms Police Station

According to the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), Utsav was taken into custody by police after allegations of blasphemy surfaced. Despite no forensic evidence supporting the claim, he was detained under police and military watch. A mob later stormed the station, violently attacking and killing the boy in a shocking display of public violence.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:

A college student Utsav Mandol (a #Hindu Youth) was hacked to death at #Khulna City of #Bangladesh by #Islamists. Allegations against him was he posted statement that is considered #blasphemy in social media. Without forensic evidence he was detained by police and the mob lunched… pic.twitter.com/6USMIEc35h

— Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (@hrcbm) September 5, 2024

The HRCBM condemned the police and military for failing to prevent the attack, stating that their negligence made them complicit in the crime. “This act of mob lynching violates basic human rights,” the organization said in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Lack of Accountability

The HRCBM expressed outrage over the absence of justice, as the perpetrators of the crime remain unpunished. They also criticized segments of the Bangladeshi media for downplaying the incident, with some claiming the lynching never happened. The organization voiced concern for the safety of Utsav’s family, fearing they could face intimidation or forced disappearance.

Human Rights Concerns in Bangladesh

The incident has raised serious questions about justice and human rights in Bangladesh. The HRCBM asked, “Will there be justice in Bangladesh? Will people stand up against such dark forces? Will the international community continue to be silent?”

The organization also highlighted the ongoing violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, calling for global attention and action to address these human rights violations.

Political vs. Communal Violence

Muhammad Yunus, the interim government’s chief adviser, downplayed concerns of communal violence, arguing that the attacks on Hindus are exaggerated and more political than religious. He suggested that many Hindus were perceived as supporters of the recently ousted Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina, and that the violence was a political fallout rather than religious persecution. This stance has sparked debate over the true nature of the attacks.

India’s Concern for Minority Safety

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern about the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. In his Independence Day speech, Modi acknowledged the troubling situation and called for improvements. This was the second time in a week that Modi addressed the issue, as tensions rise following the establishment of the interim government in Bangladesh.

“As a neighboring country, we share the concerns over what is happening in Bangladesh. I hope the situation improves soon,” Modi stated.

Advocacy groups like the HRCBM are urging the global community to intervene as violence against minorities in Bangladesh continues. The future remains uncertain, but the demand for justice and protection of vulnerable communities is growing stronger.

Philippine Senator Faces Backlash Over Husbands’ “Sexual Rights” Comments

August 16, 2024, 4:21 pm

Philippine Senator Robin Padilla has sparked outrage online after questioning whether husbands have “sexual rights” over their wives during a parliamentary hearing. The former actor posed the controversial query to human rights lawyer Lorna Kapunan, who was attending a Senate hearing on sexual harassment in the entertainment industry.

Padilla, a popular figure in Philippine cinema who transitioned to politics and led the 2022 senatorial elections, asked what husbands should do if they are “in the mood” and their wives are not. Kapunan responded that husbands should “watch Netflix,” advising that it is not a wife’s obligation to “serve” her husband.

Padilla’s comments were met with widespread criticism on social media, with many denouncing his remarks as “disgusting” and disrespectful. Prominent human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno emphasized that “husbands do not have ‘sexual rights’ over their wives,” advocating for respect and consent in marriages. The incident has also reignited discussions about legalizing divorce in the predominantly Catholic country, where it remains illegal.

Padilla, who is leading a Senate investigation into sexual harassment and abuse in the media industry, is known for his rise to fame in the 1990s and his eventual transition into politics. Despite his popularity, his recent comments have drawn significant public ire, underscoring the ongoing debate around gender rights and marital relations in the Philippines.

Human Rights Groups Form Coalition To Combat China’s Repression Of Uyghurs

August 15, 2024, 6:02 pm

On Tuesday, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) announced that 11 human rights organisations have formed a coalition in Germany to oppose China’s transnational repression of Uyghur minorities. The coalition, named the “Coalition against Transnational Repression in Germany,” represents victims of repression believed to have originated from China, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Belarus, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and Iran.

Transnational repression is reportedly a tactic used by authoritarian regimes to silence dissenters living abroad. According to the statement, exiled individuals often find no safety in Germany, as they face threats, intimidation, or even violent persecution from their home countries. The coalition’s goal is to collectively address and combat these threats and acts of intimidation within Germany.

The spokesperson for Tibet Initiative Germany, David Missal, said in the statement, “When people are persecuted in Germany, they have so far been alone with their fears. Transnational repression is not only a threat to individuals but also a challenge to democracy and the rule of law. This requires more attention and political responses in Germany. We have come together as a coalition to send a clear message: victims of transnational repression must be taken seriously and protected.”

The Transnational Repression Coalition is dedicated to increasing awareness among the public, policymakers, and authorities who engage with at-risk vulnerable groups. It provides guidance on creating political and civil society solutions and acts as a strong advocate for those affected. The coalition’s founding members include Tibet Initiative Deutschland, Mikroskop Media, JAM, the Human Rights Defenders’ Network – German Section, the Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF), Freiheit für Hongkong, MangMang Magazine, Reporter ohne Grenzen (RSF), Belarusische Gemeinschaft Razam, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), and Verein der Tibeter in Deutschland. These German human rights and diaspora organisations are focused on highlighting the threat of Transnational Repression (TNR) and its impact on human rights, freedom, and security in Germany.

The rise of authoritarianism globally is driving an increasing number of critics, dissidents, human rights advocates, persecuted individuals, and journalists into exile. Germany serves as a key refuge for these groups. However, their open criticism, networking within the diaspora, and outreach to their regions of origin can make them targets for authoritarian regimes and their allies. The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) statement notes that, in Germany, too, these critical voices and members of threatened communities face repression from their countries of origin.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) explains that Transnational Repression (TNR) is a tactic used by foreign governments to extend their reach beyond borders in order to intimidate, silence, or harm members of diaspora and exile communities. This strategy aims to prevent these individuals from exercising their human rights as protected under German Basic Law. TNR encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical and digital attacks, stalking, surveillance, restricting mobility, pressuring individuals to return to their home countries, and indirect threats or coercion by proxy.

The WUC explained that while some threats may be prosecutable under German criminal law, many attacks are deliberately carried out below the level of criminal liability. Although it is often clear that these attacks are state-sponsored, proving this in court can be challenging. Key contact points, such as law enforcement agencies, frequently lack experience with transnational repression. This makes it difficult to recognise, comprehend, investigate, and address TNR effectively in Germany.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy Plans First Official Visit To China

August 10, 2024, 6:08 pm

David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, is planning to visit China in September, marking a significant diplomatic engagement within the first 100 days of his tenure. The trip, currently under discussion, is intended to signal the UK’s desire to resume high-level dialogue with China. Although the exact date is yet to be confirmed, a spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated, “Foreign secretary travel will be confirmed in the usual way.”

Previous Plans and Recent Engagements

Lammy had originally planned to visit China earlier this summer while Labour was still in opposition, but the trip was postponed due to the general election. Following Labour’s victory, Lammy met with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on July 26 at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Laos. During this meeting, the FCDO reported that Lammy outlined the UK’s approach to China, emphasizing cooperation where possible, competition where necessary, and challenges where required.

Pressure on Human Rights Issues

As Foreign Secretary, Lammy is expected to face pressure to adopt a firm stance on human rights, particularly concerning China’s treatment of the Uyghur population. In 2023, while serving as Shadow Foreign Secretary, Lammy reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to recognizing the Uyghurs’ plight as genocide. China’s imposition of sanctions on seven UK parliamentarians, including Labour peer Helena Kennedy, for their criticism of China’s human rights record further complicates diplomatic relations.

A Strategic Reassessment of UK-China Relations

The UK government, under Labour, is currently conducting an “audit” of its relations with China. This review aims to enhance the UK’s ability to respond effectively to both the challenges and opportunities presented by China, as outlined in Labour’s manifesto. The last visit to China by a British Foreign Secretary was in August 2023 when James Cleverly made a trip that faced scrutiny from Conservative backbenchers urging a tougher stance on China.

Ruby Osman, a policy adviser at the Tony Blair Institute, noted that major Western nations, despite their differences with Beijing, have continued to engage with China at the highest levels. Osman emphasized that Labour’s challenge will be shifting the mood in Westminster towards recognizing that engagement with China does not necessarily mean agreement. Lammy, she added, has been preparing for greater engagement with China even before Labour’s election win, and there is significant interest from Beijing in resetting relations after a period of strain.

US Revokes Visa For Sheikh Hasina Amid Asylum Search

August 7, 2024, 2:27 pm

Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has reportedly had her US visa revoked and is now exploring asylum options in the UAE and European countries, following the UK’s rejection of her asylum request. Hasina fled Dhaka amidst ongoing student protests demanding her resignation over a controversial quota system for war veterans’ relatives, which escalated into violent clashes resulting in over 400 deaths.

Deteriorating Relations with the US

Hasina’s tenure saw a largely productive relationship with the US, which valued her partnership on counterterrorism and refugee issues. However, recent criticisms of her autocratic tendencies and the imposition of visa sanctions over democratic concerns have strained ties. The Biden administration labeled the recent general elections in Bangladesh as “unfair and not free” and imposed visa restrictions on Bangladeshi officials and politicians.

The US had used Bangladesh as a test case for its value-based foreign policy, advocating for human rights and democratic principles through public messaging, diplomatic meetings, and sanctions.

Economic and Strategic Importance of Bangladesh

The US views Bangladesh as a crucial part of its Indo-Pacific strategy due to its strategic location and growing economic influence. It is the largest importer of Bangladeshi goods and top source of foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2021, US companies invested $4.3 billion in Bangladesh, representing 20% of the country’s total FDI.

Human Rights Concerns and Diplomatic Tensions

The US has voiced dissatisfaction with human rights and democracy issues in Bangladesh, leading to sanctions on high-level officials over alleged human rights abuses. Despite diplomatic efforts and compliance with US sanctions, concerns about declining democratic practices in Bangladesh persist.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas, has been critical of the human rights situation, while the Biden administration focuses on democracy and human rights as key foreign policy objectives.

Hasina’s Criticism of the US

Hasina has criticized the US for its handling of human rights issues domestically and accused it of plotting regime changes in Bangladesh. She claimed that the US is conspiring to establish an air base and a Christian state in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Protests erupted near the White House during her visit in April 2023, where she was also criticized for alleged autocratic practices and economic mismanagement.

US Support and Aid to Bangladesh

The US remains a major trading partner for Bangladesh, especially in the Ready-Made Garments sector, and is a leading investor in the country’s energy sector. US aid includes significant contributions to food security, health programs, and the Rohingya crisis. The US also donated over 100 million vaccine doses to Bangladesh, aiding its national vaccination efforts.

Ongoing Diplomatic Dynamics

The situation highlights the complex diplomatic dynamics between the US and Bangladesh, marked by strategic interests, human rights concerns, and political tensions.

The Legal And Human Rights Implications Of The Taliban’s De Facto Authority In Afghanistan

July 29, 2024, 11:03 pm

As the ICJ in its opinion on the Israel-Palestinian dispute called the occupation unlawful and

human rights, ICJ, Israel-Palestine, Afghanistan, Taliban, women’s rights, international law

declared that building settlements in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem was illegal and rejected any argument that Israel has sovereignty over the territories, despite its claims. Another issue that needs to be taken up seriously, is the violation of the human rights of women by the de facto authority of Afghanistan. Even though the third UN-convened meeting of Special Envoys and Special Representatives on Afghanistan took place on 30 June–1 July 2024 in Doha, Qatar to discuss the international community’s approach to Afghanistan. More than one year after the first Doha meeting, there is growing concern that the international community lacks the necessary resolve to defend and advocate for the human rights of Afghan women and girls. Many Afghan women civil society have even called for a boycott of continued negotiations with the Taliban until women’s rights are restored. In this context, the authors discuss the ongoing violations of human rights of women and girls and the need for fixing the responsibility of the de facto government of the Taliban .

After the US left Afghanistan, the Taliban took control of the state. They formed a de facto government which most of the states have not recognised. Thus, this government is lacking legal capacity to enter into any diplomatic relations under international law. Under International law, recognition of state and recognition of government are different. On the one hand States recognition has four criterions which are territory, population, government and capacity to enter into foreign relations. On the other hand, recognition of government is different. A state may recognize another state but at the same time does not recognise the government which is exactly the case with the de facto government of Taliban
However, when the UN body is inviting this government at UN meeting the legal question may arise, whether UN is recognizing Taliban government or not? If UN recognizes Taliban, it may be a collective recognition. But in international law recognition government doesn’t happen by any dialogue. There is a process to recognition. It may be express or may be implied. Many states engage with different bodies of government even though they do not recognize the government. Non-recognition does not waive the duty of international responsibility. Therefore, if Taliban is doing wrong by women rights violation, it can be responsible in international forum without recognising the government.

Coming to the human rights situation of Afghan women, their rights and their role within society can be traced back to 1978 when a coup d’etat resulted in the fall of Daud Khan’s government which led to the commencement of militarisation of communist factions and mujahideen who had excluded Afghan women from the decision-making processes and access to leadership roles. Before the Soviet Invasion of 1979, there were signs of progress for women, Afghanistan has several women in the cabinet, women were going to school in cities, female presence within police force

However, the gravitiy of the current situation can be traced from the fact that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has issued a warning against systematic ‘gender apartheid and gender persecution’.In a joint report last year to UNHRC, Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, Chair of the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, said that the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan was among the worst in the world
In contrast, the Taliban have defended their decisions by stating that the working women in Afghanistan are violating the sharia law of their land and that their de facto government is committed to enforcing sharia law in Afghanistan which has led to the de facto authorities dismantling the most fundamental principles of human rights, particularly for women and girls.

Going forward, the need of the hour is to establish the human rights obligations of the de facto government of the Taliban, who call themselves the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and at present are exercising governmental functions and have de facto authority over the population that in essence meets the criteria of application of human rights law. It is imperative to hold the Taliban responsible under Article 10 of the Draft Articles on State Responsibility, which declares that “the conduct of an insurrectional movement which becomes the new government of a State shall be considered an act of that State under international law.

Abhinav Mehrotra & Bishwanath Gupta

Abhinav Mehrotra is Assistant Professor and Dr Biswanath Gupta is Associate Professor at OP Jindal Global University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

Israel’s Action ‘Unacceptable’ In A World That Professes Morality: Priyanka Gandhi

July 26, 2024, 11:26 pm

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday once again came out in support of people of Gaza, saying it is the moral responsibility of every right thinking individual including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world, to condemn the Israeli government’s genocidal actions and force them to stop.
She also said that Israel’s actions are “unacceptable” in a world that professes civility and morality

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, “It is no longer enough to speak up for the civilians, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, aid workers, journalists, teachers, writers, poets, senior citizens and the thousands of innocent children who are being wiped out day after day by the horrific genocide taking place in Gaza.”

“It is the moral responsibility of every right thinking individual including all those Israeli citizens who do not believe in hatred and violence, and every government in the world to condemn the Israeli government’s genocidal actions and force them to stop. Their actions are unacceptable in a world that professes civility and morality. Instead we are subjected to the image of the Israeli Prime Minister being given a standing ovation in the US congress,” she said.

“He (Benjamin Netanyahu) calls it ‘a clash between barbarism and civilization’. He is absolutely correct, except that it is him and his government that are barbaric and their barbarism is being given the unstinted support of most of the western world. It is truly a shame to watch,” she said.

Students’ Protests

July 26, 2024, 10:20 pm

Student protests have consistently demonstrated the power of youth activism to challenge injustice, advocate for rights, and drive societal change. Their impact extends beyond immediate policy outcomes to inspire future generations and shape the collective consciousness of humanity towards justice, equality, and human rights. These incidents illustrate the pivotal role that students and young people have often played in advocating for social justice, political reform, and human rights across the globe. They have frequently been at the forefront of movements that have reshaped societies and influenced historical outcomes.

Today, we are digging deeper to find out key student protests which acted as a catalyst in major reforms in the human history.

The Greensboro Sit-ins (1960)
Greensboro sit-in, act of nonviolent protest against a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, that began on February 1, 1960. Its success led to a wider sit-in movement, organized primarily by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) that spread throughout the South.

The sit-in was organized by Ezell Blair, Jr. (later Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond—all African Americans and all students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro. Influenced by the nonviolent protest techniques of Mohandas Gandhi and the Journey of Reconciliation (an antecedent of the Freedom Rides) organized by the Congress of Racial Equality, the four men executed a plan to draw attention to racial segregation in the private sector. Enlisting the aid of Ralph Johns, a local white businessman who was sympathetic to their cause, the students, who came to be dubbed the Greensboro Four, planned their social action in great detail.
On the afternoon of February 1, 1960, the Greensboro Four entered a Woolworth’s general merchandise store that had a dining area. The men bought small items and retained the receipt as proof of purchase, before sitting down at the store’s lunch counter. While Blacks were allowed to patronize the dining area, they were relegated to a standing snack bar, as the lunch counter was designated for “whites only.” The Greensboro Four politely requested service at the counter, remaining seated while their orders were refused by the waitstaff. The lunch counter manager contacted the police, but Johns had already alerted the local media. The police arrived, only to declare that they could do nothing because the four men were paying customers of the store and had not taken any provocative actions. The media response, however, was immediate. A photo of the Greensboro Four appeared in local newspapers, and the protest quickly expanded.

The following day the Greensboro Four returned to the Woolworth’s lunch counter, accompanied by some 20 other Black university students. The scene played out again February 3–4, with protestors filling virtually all the available seats and spilling out of the store and onto the sidewalk outside.

Within weeks, national media coverage of the protest led to sit-ins being staged in cities across the country. Soon dining facilities across the South were being integrated, and by July 1960 the lunch counter at the Greensboro Woolworth’s was serving Black patrons. The Greensboro sit-in provided a template for nonviolent resistance and marked an early success for the civil rights movement.

Kent State (1970)
By 1970, Americans were deeply divided over the Vietnam War. Antiwar protests were common and intensified as the number of casualties increased and U.S. troops invaded Cambodia.

On May 1, students at Kent State University in Ohio began a protest against the war. They attacked police officers with bottles and rocks, broke windows and looted stores. A state of emergency was declared, and the Ohio National Guard was dispatched to keep peace. When they arrived the night of May 2, the university’s ROTC building was on fire. As angry protestors made it hard for firefighters to extinguish the flames, the National Guard used tear gas to clear the area.

At an antiwar rally the next day, protestors and the National Guard clashed again. When the guards sprayed tear gas into the crowd, some protestors defended themselves with rocks and whatever else they could find. Some of the guards then opened fire, killing four people and wounding nine. Kent State University and colleges across the country closed in fear of more violence.

Soweto Uprising (1976)
During the 1970’s, South Africa’s apartheid rule continued to use official procedures of explicit and implicit racism to subjugate and demoralize the black Africans in the country. By the 1970’s, the majority black communities were sick and tired of these oppressive policies, which led to an increase in violence, protests and militant activity. However, not all organizations and group efforts to fight apartheid involved violence. In 1974, the South African regime passed the Afrikaans Medium Degree which required all black schools to use and teach Afrikaans as much as English. Because the language of Afrikaans was strongly associated with apartheid, black South Africans preferred their indigenous languages or English. Opposition to this decree prompted black students to organize a peaceful rally on June 16, 1976 in the township of Soweto, located in the nation’s capital, Johannesburg.
Between 100,000 and 200,000 students marched peacefully through the streets of Soweto, carrying banners and chanting for freedom from oppression. Though the protests began peacefully, they quickly became violent as police officers began to massacre and harm hundreds of students gathered. The amount of casualties is unclear, with numbers ranging from 100-700 people dead and thousands injured.

Within days, young people in other townships were demonstrating in solidarity. Moved by the same youthful and unjaded outrage as their Sowetan peers, defiance in the face of state violence became characteristic of the revolt as it spread throughout South Africa. Demands quickly broadened to include calls to end not only Bantu Education, but apartheid itself. Activism took many forms, students countrywide organised campaigns, boycotts and stay-at-homes in their communities with varying degrees of success and co-ordination. Funerals for young people killed by police, transformed into mass political gatherings, became a mainstay of township life. By late 1977, the uprising had been quelled by the repressive violence of the state: in excess of 1,000 people were dead, and huge numbers of student activists were detained, imprisoned or driven into exile. But the forces unleashed in the uprising could not be extinguished. It had been the most significant challenge to the apartheid state in over a decade. For the first time in a long time, the uprising of youth made the end of apartheid seem possible.

The Fisk University protests (1925)
Fisk University has a long history of student activism. In 1925, Fisk president Fayette McKenzie restricted many student activities, including discontinuing the school newspaper, cutting most extracurriculars, and putting restrictions on interactions between male and female students. McKenzie was also seeking endowments from foundations that didn’t want students to challenge Jim Crow laws. W.E.B. Du Bois, who had attended Fisk, gave a speech on campus criticizing McKenzie.

Students and alumni began demanding changes, which McKenzie initially agreed to enact, but then he backtracked. In March, after a peaceful protest, McKenzie called the police, who broke into the men’s dorm violently searching for the “agitators.” This act turned the tide in the students’ favor. More protests began, as well as a boycott of the school. In April, Fisk resigned.

Hong Kong Umbrella Movement (2014)
Initiated by students and young people, this pro-democracy movement called for universal suffrage and democratic reforms in Hong Kong. The protesters occupied key areas of the city for weeks, using umbrellas to protect themselves from tear gas and pepper spray. The Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, also known as the Umbrella Revolution, was a significant pro-democracy movement that took place in Hong Kong from September to December 2014.

The movement was sparked by the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) of China to set strict limitations on the selection of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong through universal suffrage. Protesters argued that this decision violated the principle of “one country, two systems” promised when Hong Kong was handed over from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. The movement quickly escalated as protesters occupied key areas in Admiralty, Causeway Bay, and Mong Kok, effectively shutting down parts of the city for several weeks. Tent cities and makeshift barricades were set up to sustain the occupation.

China’s Suppression On Activists: Harsh Sentences For Li Qiaochu And Xu Zhiyong Raise Global Concerns

June 14, 2024, 6:50 pm

In a recent event, prominent Chinese activist have been sentenced to prison terms on charges of inciting subversion (unlawful acts undermining the power or authority of an institution) of state power. Among them is Li Qiaochu, a well-known women’s and labor rights activist, who received a three-and-a-half-year sentence. Her partner, Xu Zhiyong, a significant figure in Chinese civil rights advocacy, is already serving a 14-year sentence on similar charges.

Li Qiaochu’s trial was held behind closed doors which revealed that her involvement included aiding Xu in uploading “subversive” articles to his blog. Despite international appeals for her release due to health issues and her work supporting marginalized groups, Li remains under strict restrictions. She has been denied bail and her family cannot visit her. Her sentencing has been criticized by human rights groups and the European Union, highlighting China’s tough measures to silence critics.

Xu Zhiyong was detained after attending an activist meeting since then had been pushing for democratic reforms and anti-corruption measures. His arrest and sentencing, along with fellow activist Ding Jiaxi, highlight China’s intolerance for political activism and dispute. The harsh penalties given to them show efforts to suppress civil society and prevent reformist ideas from spreading in a broad way.

The Chinese government’s treatment of activists like Li and Xu shows strict enforcement of anti-subversion laws, often using indefinite charges. This approach not only targets individual activists but also warns others against challenging the state. The international community is watching these events and advising for the rights and freedoms of those who support democratic ideals in China.

These sentences show China’s increasing control over the autonomy of civilians, using both legal and illegal methods to stay in power. The harsh punishments for activists raise worries about the future of human rights and free speech in the country. With the world watching, there is growing pressure on China to follow international human rights standards and protect basic freedoms for its citizens.

North Korea Accuses U.S. of Politicizing Human Rights

April 27, 2024, 11:33 am

North Korea has accused the United States of politicizing human rights in the country, condemning what it called a political conspiracy and provocation, according to reports from western media on Saturday.

A spokesperson from North Korea’s foreign ministry, as cited by official media KCNA, stated that North Korea would take stern and decisive actions to secure its sovereignty and safety in response to Washington’s use of human rights as a tool for hostile behavior and invasion.

The spokesperson specifically mentioned a visit by Julie Turner, the U.S. ambassador on North Korean human rights issues, to Tokyo and Seoul in February, where she discussed the issue of North Korea. Turner was quoted as a special envoy on human rights in the Biden administration.

The U.S. State Department’s annual report this week highlighted “significant human rights issues” in North Korea, including reports of “arbitrary or unlawful killings, including enforced disappearance; extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, degrading treatment or inhuman, or punishment by government authorities.”

Amnesty International Report: China Human Rights abuses

April 24, 2024, 5:32 pm

In its recent report titled “The State of the World’s Human Rights, April 2024,” Amnesty International shed light on human rights violations in China. The report, released on Tuesday, extensively covers human rights concerns across 155 countries in 2023, analyzing global and regional issues and projecting future implications.

Amnesty International’s report particularly emphasizes the targeting of human rights defenders advocating for various communities, who face repression and persecution as part of a broader crackdown on dissent. It notes that China continues to use national security as a pretext to curb fundamental freedoms such as expression, association, and assembly. The government imposes strict censorship both online and offline, suppressing discussions on sensitive topics.

The report also raises alarm over government policies contributing to the erosion of ethnic groups’ language and culture, especially Tibetans. Women’s rights activists experience harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention, while Hong Kong’s civic space continues to shrink due to restrictions on protests and the imprisonment of pro-democracy figures.

Legal ambiguities and vague definitions in proposed revisions grant excessive powers to authorities, leading to the systematic targeting of human rights defenders and activists. The report highlights cases of arbitrary detentions, unfair trials, and harsh sentences, including those of legal scholar Xu Zhiyong and human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi.

An example mentioned in the report is the case of He Fangmei, a women’s and health rights defender detained for nearly two and a half years on charges related to her advocacy for safe vaccines and justice for children. Her detention resulted in separation from her children, highlighting broader concerns regarding China’s human rights practices and legal system.

BNM Report: Five Extrajudicial Killings, 33 Disappearances in Feb

March 7, 2024, 12:39 pm

At least 33 documented cases of enforced disappearances were reported across various regions of Balochistan, according to the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Paank. This indicates a concerning increase in military actions and enforced disappearances in the region, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

In February 2024, the BNM Human Rights Department published a thorough report on the state of human rights in Balochistan.
The Balochistan Post stated that of the 33 cases of enforced disappearances, 28 people were eventually freed from torture cells.

According to reports after the conflict in Mach, Balochistan, between the Pakistan Army and the Baloch Sarmachars, five people who were forcibly disappeared while in custody, were labelled as attackers and subsequently killed.

The report also emphasized how critical it is to conduct thorough research into the severe harm done to Baloch society.

According to The Balochistan Post, it brought attention to the forced exile or collaboration of young Baloch people with the Pakistani army, which left them as living corpses or indifferent members of their community.

According to the report, Baloch protestors frequently end with police promises that the young people who disappeared would be falsely implicated in cases that would justify their arrest and detention.

The report, which deemed it a violation of human rights, demanded that human rights organizations pay more attention to the situation and provide legal support to people held in Balochistan prisons who had previously been forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani army.
It also included proof of the five people whom the Pakistani army had forcibly disappeared from Mach and demanded that other countries step in to break the cycle of violence.

According to The Balochistan Post, the report sharply condemned the military aggressions of Pakistan in Bolan, emphasized the need for a prompt international investigation into the army’s actions, and urged the international community to put pressure on the Pakistani government to grant access to media and international organizations.
The report also stated that it is damaging to human dignity to remain silent about these issues.

White House condemns online harassment of WSJ reporter over PM Modi question

June 27, 2023, 1:40 pm

The White House has expressed strong condemnation for the online harassment targeting a Wall Street Journal journalist who raised questions about the rights of religious minorities during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on 22 June in Washington. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated that the reported harassment is entirely unacceptable and goes against the fundamental principles of democracy demonstrated during PM Modi’s recent state visit.

“It’s completely unacceptable and it’s antithetical to the very principles of democracy that … were on display last week during the state visit,” Kirby said on Monday in a press briefing.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural state visit to the United States, a noteworthy event took place as he engaged in a joint press conference with President Joe Biden at the White House. In an uncommon turn of events, PM Modi fielded questions from journalists, one of whom was Siddiqui, who raised concerns about the rights of religious minorities in India.

“There are many human rights groups who say your government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics. What steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and uphold free speech?” asked The White House correspondent . 5tIn response, the PM expressed his surprise at the question and said in Hindi, “In India’s democratic values, there is absolutely no discrimination, neither based on caste, creed, age, nor any kind of geographic location.”

He further added, “Indeed, India is a democracy. And as President Biden also mentioned, India and America, both countries, democracy is in our DNA. Democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy.”

Dignity denied as more than 3,000 schools in South Africa still use pit toilets

May 23, 2023, 3:28 am

At a high school in rural northern South Africa, more than 300 students and their teachers share three toilets, and that woefully lopsided figure isn’t the worst problem. The three toilets are pit latrines, effectively 10-feet-deep holes in the ground that students line up during a lunch break to use. The pit toilets at Seipone Secondary School in the village of Ga-Mashashane at least are covered by white toilet seats and enclosed by brick structures. Some of the pit toilets still used at more than 3,300 schools in poor, mostly rural areas across South Africa aren’t. It’s a shameful situation for a country referred to as the most developed in Africa, and an indicator of its profound problems with poverty and inequality, say human rights groups pushing the South African government to do away with the sub-standard facilities in schools forever.Unhygienic, the latrines also present a much more direct danger.

A HORRIFIC INCIDENT
The sight that greeted James Komape one day in January 2014 at the nearby Chebeng village is horrific by every measure.
He’d received a phone call asking him to rush to his 5-year-old son’s pre-school. The little boy, Michael, was found dead, drowned at the bottom of a pit latrine. Michael’s body hadn’t even been removed from the pool of water mixed with feces and urine at the bottom of the pit he fell into when his father got there.
Other small children have also drowned in pit latrines in the near-decade since, one girl as recently as last month, another boy in March. There are no reliable figures to say how many children have lost their lives in pit toilets.The latrines, which have an outlet that is used to drain them periodically, are cheaper and more practical for poorer schools because they don’t rely on a constant supply of running water.
At the Jupiter Pre-School and Creche in the same Limpopo province where Michael died, children as young as 3 are still using pit toilets that have no proper seat but rather a hole carved out of a concrete slab that opens to the pit below.

GOVERNMENT’S PROMISE
The South African government promised to replace all pit toilets at schools nationwide by March 31 this year. It hasn’t happened. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said there are still 3,398 schools using pit latrines and the deadline to eradicate them has been shifted to 2025.Lebelo said “it speaks about how we perceive people in rural areas.”

Section 27
Section27 is another human rights group pushing for the pit toilets to be eradicated for “safe and decent sanitation facilities.” Section27 supported Michael Komape’s family in their legal action against the local and national education departments and they succeeded in getting a court ruling that authorities must provide updated information every six months on schools in the Limpopo province using pit toilets and the plans to replace them. Section27 called its system to track the government’s work The Michael Komape Sanitation Progress Monitor and it is able to use the information to hold the education department accountable.

Human Rights in international investment arbitration – a conceptual analysis

May 17, 2023, 1:48 am

In the recent era investment related disputes are increasing day by day and human right laws are increasingly being more and more relevant is such disputes, but is it relevant? Over the past years, tribunals have given more or less no to less attention when it comes to human rights law in cases of an investment arbitration taking place. But with the changing era, it cannot be said that the two areas are of no importance and are disconnected from each other. A plethora of arbitral tribunals in investor-state disputes is increasingly open to drawing on human rights norms in cases of applying international investment agreements.

International trade, business, and investments are gaining momentum as countries invest internationally to advance their reach and boost their respective economies. While commercial arbitration has become quite popular, another form of arbitration, which is investment arbitration has gained popularity. The process of investment arbitration is a new one that forms its basis in international adjudication as well as law. It has a well-established principle that any investor, be it an individual or one with a corporate entity, may enforce international law obligations and receive monetary compensation from a state. Investment arbitration happens to be a procedure that is used to resolve the disputes which occur between foreign investors and the host state, this process is also called the Investor-State Dispute Settlement.

Human rights law is the department of international law containing customs, guidelines, and practices that furnish all people regardless of their place of birth, race, intercourse, and many others aspects. There are no exhaustive lists of rights that might be considered human rights. Investment arbitration and human rights law appear to be disjoint from each other but they’re aspects of the same coin. It may come as a surprise at first – how can it be related? Let’s us understand this with the help of an example, i.e., in the case of an international investment arbitration both the parties to dispute i.e., the host state as well as the investor wants to reinforce their position to do such the parties may turn to the provisions of the public international law which may also include human rights treaties.
Human Right Laws and International Investment Arbitration Disputes go hand in hand for the investor as well as the host country in many ways. Some are discussed below –
-The investor may commit or be involved in the violations of human rights.
-The State might violate the human rights of the investor.
-Any party to dispute during the proceedings may lead to invoking the practice of international human rights courts on issues of procedure.

-The State might adopt the approach of human rights measures that may interfere with investors’ property rights.
-A party to dispute can also raise an issue that can be incidental to the investment dispute raised by the foreign investor, the case of Urbaser vs. Argentina stands as an example of this situation where the right to water i.e. a basic human right was brought forward as a concern by the host state against the investor.
-A party to dispute can also invoke international human rights norms in the application or interpretation of the obligations when it comes to international investment.
But do Arbitral Tribunals have the Jurisdiction of analyzing Human Right Claims? To answer this question let’s refer to the widely recognized Kompetenz-Kompetenz principle in Arbitration Law.

This principle provides the right to the arbitral tribunal to exercise on the issues in its own jurisdiction. With the application of this principle, the tribunal is empowered to decide matters by assuming its own jurisdiction i.e., by implementing as well as interpreting the relevant provisions of the Bilateral Investment Treaties.
In the case of Strabag v. Poland, the court stated that the burden to establish a tribunal’s jurisdiction, while ultimately it is subject to a tribunal’s own satisfaction will fall on the party alleging a breach of human rights. Further, In another case of Bilbao Biscay Ur Partzuergoa vs. the Republic of Argentina, the court in its ruling stated that the arbitral tribunal shall settle disputes based on the principles and rights contained in the treaty, further also including the rules of international law, along with taking the general rules/principals in consideration.

Hence there is no direct answer to the question of jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal to analyze human rights claims, as the applicability of it completely depends on the domestic law of the host country along with the relevant bilateral or multilateral arbitration treaty. Therefore, it can be said that whether or not the tribunal can apply human rights completely depends on the jurisdictional clause along with taking into consideration the relevant law. Hence no matter how limited the scope of jurisdiction of a tribunal is, it does not necessarily imply excluding human rights issues in cases it is raised by the parties to the disputes. Article 42 of the ICSID Convention clearly states that in cases of an absence of an agreement “The Tribunal should apply the rules as well as the law of the Contracting State party to the arbitral dispute along with rules of international law as well. It is to be noted that the specific human right this is being claimed to be violated needs to be one that is based on a treaty of such human rights, to which both the parties to the disputes are signatories. Hence the above-discussed provisions clearly open the door for the application of customary rules of international law to international investment arbitration disputes, as international law does include human rights law as well. Associations with regard to the applicability of an appropriate regulation/law become significantly more complicated in the present scenario.
The tribunal in the case of Siemens v. Argentina, stated that the tribunal isn’t committed or obligated to look at basic rights, regardless of whether it can do as such, in the event that it doesn’t see common freedoms as straightforwardly affecting the center issues of the debate. In case the tribunal accepts to consider human rights, it has the discretionary power to decide on which rights, obligations, etc. may be applied.
At times, human rights norms can also be applied while the dispute is going on during the merits and damages phase. During this phase, the tribunal relies on Art 31(3)(c)Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which grants the tribunal to consider any relevant rules of international law. This process is also known as the systematic integration process, and the tribunal may not always expressly refer to it as human rights norms.

It is to be noted that both international investment law and International Human Rights Law do overlap each other to a degree in regard to certain basic human rights. For instance, the right to property is central to both laws.
Likewise, the option for fair treatment assumes a fundamental procedural part in the question goal and is safeguarded under the two systems. This is obviously just a little subset of the plethora of other rights under Int. Human Rights Laws, yet it confirms essential communication between the both.

With Globalization resulting in increased foreign investment, it becomes very clear that the parties to international investment arbitration cannot overlook international human rights laws. In the present generation, human rights norms are expressly being drafted and are also being relied on as a ground of claim/counterclaim in a plethora number of cases. But there are yet a few unsettled concerns introduced by the consideration of human rights issues in investor-state arbitration and even now human rights provisions are missing in most relevant treaties, which acts as a major problem in the present era which leads to straining of relations between the two.

For interactions to become more and more, efforts are to be put in to identify shared goals as well as the more vigorous contribution of human rights experts in relevant international investment disputes taking place as the two systems draw from international law, thus there exists no question for seeking additional amicable associations.

Is Jammu & Kashmir flourishing after the abrogation of article 370?

February 16, 2023, 2:08 pm

Dictatorship! Human Rights Violation! Crushing the voice of the people by the State! Such are the slogans and articles that are flooded both in the print as well as digital space about the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. But just as there can be no light without the dark, no right without a wrong; and no bass without treble, there can be no coin without two sides. When the opinion space gets dominated by one side of the frequency spectrum, as informed citizens, it becomes only fair to tune in to the other side of the frequency spectrum. The “Center for Muslim World Studies” at one of the largest universities of South Florida – Florida International University (FIU), however, has chosen to project just one side of the “opinion coin”. The “Center for Muslim World Studies” is preparing to host an event – Kashmir in Modi’s India: Continuities, Changes, and Challenges, which is aimed at best projecting a jaundiced view of Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370. The outline of the event presents a snapshot of the deep bias entrenched in the event without including a voice of counter-balance opinion. Below are a few points reflecting my frustration with the event and its tone:

1. The event titled “Kashmir in Modi’s India” insinuates the demonization of the largest democratically elected government in the world. Mr. Narendra Modi represents the voice of a people – a billion strong, and the decisions taken by the Government of India are reflections of the consensus of its people. The discourse is reportedly going to be the history of Kashmir right from its contested status at the independence of India and Pakistan to the repercussions of revoking Article 370. While the territorial conflict of Kashmir gets to hog most of the limelight, what is seldom discussed is the treaty of Maharaja Ranjit Singh – the monarch of Kashmir at the independence of India that merges Kashmir with India and the marauders that raped and pillaged Kashmir just to coerce the King to merge Kashmir with Pakistan.

2. More often than not, the name of the United Nations gets screamed at the top of the lungs whenever “Kashmir” is discussed. Post the abrogation of Article 370, these “screams” have only intensified. It is only fair then that the role of the United Nations is discussed in all the internal matters of each country – for example, is the US taxation system vetted by the UN? or was UN consulted before the schools in Florida removed the narrative of “Critical Race Theory” from their school syllabus? The answer to the above questions will be “This is an internal matter of the US”. Similarly, abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is an internal matter of India where the UN has NO say.

3. In order to understand the human rights that the event looks to discuss, it would be wise to also discuss the umpteen attacks that are orchestrated not just on the Indian army, but also on its citizens by non-state actors and cross-border terrorists that feed on the fear they instill in the society. Snatching away the Right to Life just because a person is from a faith that is frowned upon by those unwilling to accept alternate methods of worship is the worst form of human rights violation ever. When people are forced out of their homes and sentenced to live the life of a nomad – is also human rights violation that should also be discussed in the event.

4. When hosting an event that is aimed at raising doubts about the sovereignty of a nation, it should be presented from a non-biased platform that amplifies not just one side of the opinion. As an academic platform, are there any previous or future events similar in nature that discuss the sufferings of Hindus that occurred during the partition of India and the formation of Bangladesh that have been or will be organized by the Center for Muslim World Studies at FIU?

Opinion bias can lead to decisions that can have fatal repercussions on society and leave false impressions that can take generations to wash off. Cultural Organizations and the student body at FIU should make sure that opinion events are balanced and are designed to give equal space to all opinions. In absence of such discipline, the narrative is not only hijacked but ultimately, the history gets re-written bereft of facts and built on lies.

Author:

Varun Kulkarni

Mechanical Engineer by qualification, Engineering manager by profession. Youtuber. History Enthusiast. Strong believer of Vedic values and Sanatan. ISHA Volunteer

OIC urges Taliban to reconsider ban on women from working

January 13, 2023, 1:54 pm

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called on the Taliban to reconsider the decision to ban women from working for NGOs. This comes right after the Taliban banned women from going to work for any domestic or foreign NGOs.

OIC has called the ban on women from working in NGOs and education “in violation of the purposes of Islamic law and the methodology of the messenger of Allah.” The statement was issued by OIC in its final communique of the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee. In an earlier statement, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim stressed that the OIC has been following with deep concern the developments of the “unfortunate events” in Afghanistan

He noted that “we conveyed, through my special envoy, messages to the de facto authority in which we emphasized the importance of the government’s fulfilment of its previous promises to open schools for girls in light of the solid and clear foundations of the Islamic religion that encourage education.”

The 57-member state group also called on the Islamic Emirate to protect human rights, particularly the rights of women and children, and voiced serious worries about “the increasing humanitarian and human rights situation in Afghanistan.”

The meeting of OIC members was arranged to discuss the recent decree from the Taliban to close schools and universities to girls and women in addition to the suspension from working in national and international NGOs. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Tur, urged the Taliban to drop a number of laws that discriminate against the rights of women and girls, citing both the “terrible, cascading effects” on their lives and the dangers they represent to the stability of Afghan society.

Former Sri-Lanka Presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya, sanctioned by Canada

January 11, 2023, 1:53 pm

Canada has sanctioned four top Sri Lankan officials, including former presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Canadian foreign ministry has said this was done on the account of “gross and systematic violations of human rights” during the armed conflict in the island nation from 1983 to 2009.

The 26-year civil war between the government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) caused death of thousands of people. The then president Mahinda Rajapaksa and the then defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa headed the forces that were accused of targeting Tamil civilians. However, both sides were accused of war crimes especially in the final months of the war.

The sanctions list also includes Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake and Lieutenant Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi. They were both previously punished by the US for committing major offences. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa commuted Ratnayake’s death sentence in 2015 for the murder of eight civilians and commuted it to life in prison in 2020.

All Sri Lankans must denounce the Canadian action, according to Sagara Kariyawasam, general secretary and a member of parliament for the Rajapaksa-dominated Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

“Sri Lanka faced the scourge of terrorism for 30 years. Not only a large number of civilians were killed from all communities but also Tamil politicians, intellectuals and civil servants. Even renowned Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed by the LTTE,” he told Media. He further added,“Former presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa played a great role in ending the war. Now people live without fear of bombs going off, no more body bags go to villages each day.”

According to the foreign ministry, the lack of accountability thwarts efforts by conflict victims to find peace and reconciliation, and the penalties send a “clear message that Canada will not accept ongoing impunity for individuals who have perpetrated serious human rights crimes in Sri Lanka.”

Xi defends China’s actions on minorities ahead of party congress

October 5, 2022, 11:59 am

Chinese president Xi Jinping defended China’s approach to human rights, amid growing global criticism of country’s treatment of the minorities.

In his address to the nation, Xi said that China has its own individual approach to human rights, which needs to be publicized and respected. He shaped human rights in the mould of Chinese characteristics while countering the criticism of the country’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, refusing to be apologetic about it.

He took credit for having taken the protection of human rights to a higher level after he came to power in 2012. He talked about social, political, and economic goals to ensure human rights. But there was no mention of the treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

The goals were to review the country’s human rights achievements, both theoretical and practical, in the new era; assess the international struggle in the sphere of human rights, and “maintain a steadfast commitment to the Chinese path to promote further progress in human rights.”

“During the Western bourgeois revolution, the thinkers of the Enlightenment put forward the concept of “natural rights,” which holds that all men are created equal and possess inalienable rights, a concept that helped propel forward revolutions in Britain, America, France, and other countries,” Xi said, giving the West rare credit for its early forays into the field of human rights.

Referring to socialist ideals of human rights, Xi quoted Karl Marx as arguing that “Right can never be higher than the economic structure of society and its cultural development conditioned by it.”

Xi then argued how China’s communists always ensured “respect and protection for human rights” as their “relentless pursuit”. “Throughout the periods of the new-democratic revolution, socialist revolution and construction, and reform, opening up and socialist modernization, the CPC pursued its founding mission of seeking happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation with steadfast commitment and led the people to great victories in revolution, construction, and reform,” he said.

He then responded to the west’s criticism of its treatment of ethnic minorities. We have fully implemented the Party’s policies on ethnic and religious affairs, ensuring that all ethnic groups in China are equal, respecting people’s religious beliefs, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups. “We continued reform of the judicial system, launched the Peaceful China Initiative, strengthened the rule of law, carried out education and rectification campaigns among judicial, prosecuting, and public security agencies in a bid to improve their conduct, and took resolute action against criminal gangs and organised crime, as well as illegal and criminal activities, to ensure lasting social stability and protect lives and property,”, Xi said.

He also defended his actions in Xinjiang province “Human rights are not special privileges bestowed on some people or a small minority, but universal rights to be enjoyed by all people. We have safeguarded the people’s democratic rights, given full play to their enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity, and ensured that in advancing human rights, the people are the main contributors, promoters, and beneficiaries. “

He considered elevating “China’s human rights cause” as part of the country’s new journey toward the “Second Centenary Goal of building a modern socialist country.”

He further explained “China’s human rights cause”, saying, “We must continue to follow the Chinese approach to advancing human rights, adapt to the people’s new expectations for a better and higher-quality life, and continue to meet their growing demands for rights in all respects. We should promote the coordinated development of the economy, democracy, the rule of law, thought and culture, fairness and justice, social governance, and environmental protection; and comprehensively advance initiatives in areas including employment, income distribution, education, social security, health care, housing, elderly care, and support for minors. We will strengthen human rights protection in the process of advancing material, political, cultural, ethical, social, and environmental progress. “

In May this year, Xi held a video conference with UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet over its alleged mistreatment of Uyghur muslims which the west has labelled “genocide’.