Quetta, June 26 (IANS) UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Andrea Bolanos Vargas expressed serious concern over the life sentences handed down to Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji, calling on Pakistan’s judiciary to overturn what she described as “unjust convictions.”She cited multiple alleged violations during the proceedings, including denial of fair trial and due process, abuse of antiterrorism laws, criminalisation …
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New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday categorically rejected Pakistan’s “fabricated claims” linking India to the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), stating that such remarks reflected a desperate bid by Islamabad to divert attention from its own failures and human rights abuses. Responding to a question during the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed allegations made by Pakistan’s Defence Minister b…
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…
Colombo, June 13 (IANS) Pakistan’s shrinking civic space reflects a wider struggle over dissent, accountability and state authority in an increasingly polarised political climate. The growing use of cybercrime laws, counterterrorism legislation and digital restrictions has raised alarm among journalists, activists and civil society groups, who see these measures as part of a steady erosion of democratic freedoms, a report has stated. According to a recent report in Sri Lankan newspaper ‘Dail…
Quetta, June 13 (IANS) As violence against civilians escalates across Balochistan, leading human rights organisations on Saturday brought to light the extrajudicial killing of one civilian and the enforced disappearance of two others allegedly at the hands of Pakistani forces.Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) revealed that the dead body of 28-year-old Saddam was dumped on Friday in the D-Baloch area of the Turbat region in the Kech district.“The circumstances surrounding his de…
New Delhi, June 11 (IANS) Indian and international agencies have warned of a potential humanitarian crisis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a region that has recently witnessed killings and widespread protests. Officials caution that the situation could escalate into large-scale human rights violations if urgent measures are not taken.The Pakistani establishment is unlikely to engage with the protesters and is instead expected to intensify efforts to suppress the agitation. Security forces ha…
Kabul, May 5 (IANS) The third round of university entrance exams began in Afghanistan’s Kabul without girls for the fourth consecutive year, local media reported on Friday. Taliban-run National Examination Authority has started holding the third round of Afghanistan’s university entrance examinations, known as the Kankor, on Thursday, with thousands of candidates appearing in the tests at Kabul University, Afghanistan’s leading news agency Khaama Press reported. The exam is being held for 12th g…
Quetta, June 3 (IANS) The Baloch National Movement (BNM) strongly condemned the strict curfew imposed by Pakistani forces in the Mashkai area of Balochistan’s Awaran district, where residents have been confined to their homes for the past two weeks under what it described as a “military siege.”In a statement, the BNM said that markets, shops, hospitals, and educational institutions remain closed, with people unable to leave their residences for their daily livelihood activities.The group add…
Quetta, June 2 (IANS) Leading Baloch human rights defender Mir Yar Baloch has written to Kaja Kallas, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, expressing grave concern over designating Pakistan as a partner in counter-terrorism despite longstanding allegations of Islamabad’s links to proxy networks, support for militancy and extremist groups. His remarks follow the Joint Communique issued after the Eighth Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad on …
Quetta, June 1 (IANS) A leading human rights organisation on Monday highlighted escalating abuses by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, documenting 53 killings and 124 cases of enforced disappearance across the province.In its latest report, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) recorded a total of 53 killings in April, including 44 men and 9 women, while the identities of seven victims could not be verified.“Targeted killings were the most frequently recorded category, accounting for 1…