Srinagar, July 18 (IANS) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday declined the invitation by National Conference President, Dr Farooq Abdullah to join the statehood restoration protest in New Delhi on July 20.PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti declined the National Conference’s invitation to participate in the proposed Jantar Mantar protest seeking the restoration of J&K’s statehood, asserting that any movement confi…
Latest Civil Society News & Updates
Geneva, July 17 (IANS) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday raised serious concern about infringements on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) amid escalating unrest in the occupied territory that has left dozens of people dead and injured. In a statement issued, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jeremy Laurence, said that “the criminalisation of a civ…
New York, June 23 (IANS) At least 13 international human rights organisations called on the Government of Bangladesh to revise the proposed National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Bill, 2026, warning that the legislation could reduce the commission to a largely “symbolic body” lacking the authority and independence needed to ensure accountability.In a joint statement, the human rights organisations said that the Bangladeshi authorities must ensure that the bill aligns with international stan…
New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday strongly condemned the alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl from the Chang community in Nagaland, calling for a swift and fair investigation and strict legal action against those responsible.In a post on X, Sangma expressed solidarity with the victim and her family while emphasising that crimes against children must be dealt with firmly and without delay.“Condemn the alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl from the Chang…
Islamabad, May 10 (IANS) Pakistan is failing millions of domestic workers, as they face exploitation, abuse and economic insecurity due to the government’s failure to enforce the law, leaving millions of people, including women and children, exploited and abused with a lack of legal protection, a report said.According to the report, Punjab remains in a troubling situation despite the Domestic Workers Act in 2019, which is yet to be fully implemented.”According to available data, Lahore division …
Quetta, May 4 (IANS) Journalists in Pakistan’s Quetta have expressed their commitment to defending media independence, pledging to continue their struggle for freedom of expression and rejecting “black laws” restricting rights of press, local media reported on Monday. A large number of journalists carrying banners and placards highlighting their demands gathered outside the Quetta Press Club. Journalists shouted slogans against restrictive legislation, especially the Prevention of Electronic Cri…
Dublin, April 30 (IANS) A leading international human rights organisation has called on the Bangladeshi government to immediately withdraw the cautionary letter issued to a woman human rights defender, Rani Yan Yan, and to provide a clear explanation of the legal basis for its issuance and dissemination to multiple government offices. Ireland-based rights group Front Line Defenders urged the authorities to cease all forms of harassment and intimidation against Rani and to take all necessary meas…
Dhaka, April 25 (IANS) The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government has allowed several structural legal reforms to be diluted, dismantled, or left vulnerable to the same fate since assuming power. Ordinances intended to address enforced disappearance, improve human rights conditions, and strengthen judicial independence have stalled amid political inertia, a report said on Saturday.According to an editorial report in Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s civ…
Islamabad, March 31 (IANS) Highlighting the constraints being faced by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab province, a recent report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has revealed that the civic space has been narrowed through bureaucratic, legal and financial pressures. “The need for regulation is neither new nor unreasonable. States are entitled to ensure transparency, financial accountability and compliance with the law. Yet, as the report…
Washington, March 30 (IANS) The United States on Monday resumed operations at its embassy in Caracas, reopening its diplomatic presence in Venezuela after years of limited engagement. The State Department said U.S. diplomacy with Venezuela had been handled since March 2019 through the Venezuela Affairs Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.“Today, we are formally resuming operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, marking a new chapter in our diplomatic presence in Venezuela,” t…