What was the outcome of the UN HRC resolution on Afghanistan? UN HRC extended the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan. Resolution failed to establish an independent international accountability mechanism. Why did Amnesty International voice concerns about the resolution? Resolution did not do enough to support justice for the people of Afghanistan. Lacked … Read more
What does the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka signify? The resolution extends OHCHR’s mandate in Sri Lanka for one year. There were calls for a two-year renewal by local and international organizations. It highlights the importance of ongoing international scrutiny of human rights concerns in Sri Lanka. Insights from Amnesty International’s Deputy … Read more
What does the new Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act mean for Pakistan? Responding to the recent developments in Pakistan, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International raised concerns about the implications of the new Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024. The Act poses a threat to the right to freedom of … Read more
Responding to the Chief Adviser’s Call for Human Rights in Bangladesh What is Amnesty International urging the Bangladeshi authorities to do? Conduct a swift, thorough, impartial, and independent investigation into crimes against minority communities Prosecute those responsible in fair and transparent trials Ensure justice, reparations, and non-recurrence Amnesty International welcomes the interim government’s call for … Read more
Reacting to the Announcement of a New Interim Government in Bangladesh Amid mass protests in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned. Amnesty International’s Regional Director for South Asia, Smriti Singh, emphasizes the importance of protecting people’s rights. What Should the Interim Government Prioritize? Protection of people’s right to life, free speech, and peaceful assembly. … Read more
Responding to Mass Arrests in Bangladesh: A Violation of Human Rights Amnesty International’s Regional Director for South Asia, Smriti Singh, has condemned the recent mass arrests and arbitrary detention of student leaders and protest participants in Bangladesh. The arrests, totaling over 9000 over the weekend, are seen as a government-led effort to suppress dissent and … Read more
Responding to the Deadliest Day in Bangladesh Protests Amidst ongoing violence and protests in Bangladesh, the death toll rises to a shocking 32 in a single day. Amnesty International’s Babu Ram Pant condemns the excessive force used by authorities, emphasizing the importance of respecting the right to protest: Absolute intolerance towards protest and dissent Callous … Read more
Responding to Extreme Climate Events in South Asia Marta Schaaf, Programme Director for Climate, Economic Social Justice and Corporate Accountability at Amnesty International, highlighted the repercussions of the recent extreme climate events in South Asia. Failure of Collective Human Rights-Consistent Climate Action Human-caused climate change has intensified extreme climate events in the region. Intense heatwaves … Read more
Developments in Pakistan for Afghan Refugees Responding to the recent announcement by the Government of Pakistan, Thyagi Ruwanpathirana from Amnesty International expressed his views on the extension granted to Afghan refugees holding UNHCR-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards in the country. Why was the extension granted? The Pakistan government agreed to extend the stay of … Read more
Responding to a new report by the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in Afghanistan on the sweeping gross violations of human rights by the Taliban’s so-called de-facto Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MPVPV), Zaman Sultani, regional researcher for South Asia at Amnesty International, emphasized: What does the report reveal? The … Read more