Dhaka, July 24 (IANS) Bangladesh has projected itself as a nation founded on the principles of linguistic identity, secularism and democratic pluralism. Born out of the Liberation War of 1971, the country’s Constitution envisioned equal rights for all irrespective of religion. Yet, the reality is much more complex. The suspension of the proposed 82-foot Lord Ram statue at a temple complex in Palashbari, Gaibandha, has renewed concerns among Bangladesh’s Hindu community regarding the security o…
Latest Minority Rights News & Updates
Brussels, July 17 (IANS) The European Union has expressed serious concerns over human rights abuses in Pakistan, warning that the country’s continued access to the trade benefits under Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) granted by the EU will depend on compliance with its international commitments under the revised GSP rules from 2027.In its latest joint monitoring report for the 2023-2025 period, the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Securit…
Paris, May 25 (IANS) A leading international human rights organisation on Monday strongly condemned the alarming and systematic wave of violence against religious and ethnic minorities, including indigenous communities, in Bangladesh between January and April.Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) cited reports by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), which documented a total of 505 incidents across 62 districts spanning all 8 divisions of the country –exposing a deep…
Islamabad, May 24 (IANS) A church leader has accused Pakistani police of not following the Supreme Court’s order to arrest all suspects involved in the attacks that took place on multiple churches and Christian homes in Jaranwala area of Pakistan’s Punjab province in 2023, a report has stated. The Rev. Khalid Mukhtar, whose parish house was among the properties destroyed in the violence, said authorities made little progress despite the Supreme Court’s orders on March 31, where it directed polic…
The Hague, May 17 (IANS) India strongly pushed back against questions relating to “press freedom” and “minority rights” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, as senior diplomat Sibi George delivered a firm and detailed defence of India’s democratic structure, constitutional framework and civilisational diversity. These remarks came as an answer to a Dutch journalist who questioned why both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Dutch leadership were not jointl…
Islamabad, May 5 (IANS) The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable Pakistan held a consultation, where concerns were raised over the continued patterns of religious discrimination, blasphemy laws misuse, forced conversions, forced marriages and the targeting of minority women and children. During the event, the participants reviewed the current status of religious minorities in Pakistan. Faith leaders, human rights advocates, journalists, and civil society representatives called for st…
Islamabad, April 14 (IANS) Family of Christian youth, who was shot dead at a local market in his village in Pakistan’s Punjab province, has demanded a speedy and fair investigation into the incident. Daud Masih (16) was shot dead at a local market in his village, Bhikhi, on April 8, a report detailed. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ghulam Ullah has said that police have arrested Muhammad Junaid as the prime suspect in the killing of Daud Masih. Although victim’s family expressed a sense of relief…
Washington, April 11 (IANS) Pakistan’s head of the Catholic Church, Bishop Samson Shukardin, has expressed concern over a government committee formed to review a recent ruling by the country’s top constitutional court that validated the marriage and forced conversion of a Christian minor girl. Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar on April 5 announced that a committee had been formed to review the March 25 judgement of the Federal Constitutional Court validati…
Brussels, April 9 (IANS) Bangladesh’s persistent failure to ensure effective restitution for Hindus, coupled with escalating attacks on the minority communities during the 18-month tenure of the previous Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, has sparked concerns over the protection of their fundamental rights, a report detailed this week. According to Brussels-based EU Reporter, the situation could test the ruling Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and his stated commitments …
Ahmedabad, April 4 (IANS) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi, on Saturday, rejected allegations that his party acts as a proxy for the BJP and criticised the Congress for failing to effectively counter the ruling party, during his visit to Gujarat. Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad, Owaisi said: “I am not a B-team of the BJP. I am the original ‘M’ team — the team of the marginalised, not just minorities”, asserting that AIMIM represents underre…