Latest news with #UNHRC
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Faiza Rifat condemns Pahalgam terror attack at UNHRC, urges global action against Pak's state-sponsored terrorism
Geneva [Switzerland] June 25 (ANI): Faiza Rifat from Rajasthan' Tonk representing RSKS India (UNHRC, NGO speaker), spoke at the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Tuesday, advocating fiercely against terrorism, condemning the terrorist attack in Jammu-Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 innocent civilians were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. In her video intervention as an NGO speaker, Rifat condemned the horrific attack as part of the persistent cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan-occupied Jammu-Kashmir, accusing Pakistan of continuously supporting terrorist organisations. She characterised the incident as a grave violation of human rights and a direct menace to global peace and security. Rifat called for international intervention, urging the global community to hold Pakistan responsible for its sponsorship of terrorism and demanding a unified and decisive response to state-sponsored terror activities. Her remarks at the UNHRC highlighted the increasing civilian deaths in Jammu and Kashmir. They reaffirmed the necessity of safeguarding the right to life, liberty, and security as stated in international human rights law. The 59th session of the Human Rights Council commenced its four-week meeting in Geneva with the annual report from the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, regarding the global human rights situation. Previously, Faiza Rifat expressed her support for India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Rifat emphasised that the CAA aims to provide a path to citizenship for religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Rifat stated that the CAA fulfils an urgent need by granting refuge and legal status to those who have faced persecution in their home countries historically. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
VHP condemns atrocities against Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, slams global silence
NEW DELHI: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) condemned the alleged abduction and forced religious conversion of four Hindu siblings in Pakistan's Sindh province, calling it a 'horrible story' and denouncing the continued rise in anti-Hindu violence in the region. The incident, where three sisters and their cousin were allegedly coerced into converting to Islam by their teachers, has reignited concerns over minority rights in Pakistan. 'It is a horrible story,' said VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal. 'Conversion and atrocities are increasing. International bodies like the UNHRC, the UNO, and other concerned agencies remain silent when Hindus face violence at the hands of Islamic jihadis. Pakistan must honour the Nehru-Liaquat Pact to safeguard minorities and take immediate action. The religion that claims to preach peace is being exposed by such incidents, not only in Pakistan but also in Bangladesh. The world knows that the land now called Bangladesh was once the sacred land of Maa Durga. Today, not only are chants to the goddess banned, but devotees are being attacked and idols desecrated. This must stop.' The VHP's remarks come in the wake of alarming reports from Shahdadpur, Sindh, where four Hindu siblings, two of them minors, were allegedly abducted and converted by their teachers. Despite protests by families and Hindu community leaders, local media portrayed the conversions as voluntary. Pakistani courts ruled that the minors be returned to their families, while the two adult girls, both medical students, were sent to a safe house. The accused, who are teachers, were granted bail after kidnapping charges were dropped, fuelling further outrage. In a separate incident, a Durga temple in Bangladesh was reportedly demolished and devotees assaulted during recent religious gatherings. Hindu organisations have linked this to an increasing pattern of targeted violence and state indifference in both Pakistan and Bangladesh. The VHP warned that Bangladesh is moving in the direction of Pakistan and Afghanistan in terms of intolerance, describing the trend as 'serious and condemnable. ' Bansal added that while the Government of India has taken diplomatic steps, the lack of serious international response remains troubling. He also criticised sections of India's opposition and Muslim organisations for remaining silent on such incidents, questioning their 'credibility and partiality against Hindus.'
Canada News.Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
ECO FAWN CEO raises voice at 59th UNHRC against Pahalgam terror attack, urges global solidarity
Geneva [Switzerland], June 24 (ANI): In a video intervention at the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Mettu Sai Sampath, Chief Executive Officer of ECO FAWN Society, brought global attention to the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that occurred on 22 April 2025. Speaking under the agenda item 'Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on International Solidarity,' Sampath called for urgent international condemnation and cooperative action against cross-border terrorism that violates the very essence of peace, dignity, and human rights. According to the press release of ECO FAWN Society, Sampath emphasised that the Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 innocent Indian civilians--all male tourists, including workers and small business owners--were brutally killed, was not an act of war or an isolated conflict. He stressed that it was a deliberate act of terror against peaceful civilians, perpetrated in a region internationally known for its ecological beauty and sustainable tourism. 'This was not a conflict-related encounter. These were civilians targeted deliberately during a peaceful excursion. The right to life, freedom of movement, and human dignity were attacked in the most barbaric manner. The victims were not combatants; they were ordinary citizens exercising their right to travel and coexist in peace,' Sampath stated in his address. The press release stated that ECO FAWN Society, a recognised voice in environmental and human rights advocacy, used the platform of the UNHRC not only to mourn the loss but also to urge the international community to act with resolve. Sampath called upon the Council to recognise the Pahalgam attack as a gross violation of international solidarity and human rights; unequivocally condemn all forms of terrorism, especially those targeting innocent civilians; encourage global cooperation in identifying and bringing to justice the perpetrators and their supporters; and strengthen solidarity with States combating terrorism, while ensuring full compliance with human rights norms. Sampath warned that terrorism thrives when the global conscience remains silent and that genuine solidarity must extend beyond rhetoric into meaningful international collaboration. 'Let our solidarity be meaningful, just, and unwavering,' he concluded. (ANI)
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Faiza Rifat condemns Pahalgam terror attack at UNHRC, urges global action against Pak's state-sponsored terrorism
Geneva [Switzerland] June 25 (ANI): Faiza Rifat from Rajasthan' Tonk representing RSKS India (UNHRC, NGO speaker), spoke at the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Tuesday, advocating fiercely against terrorism, condemning the terrorist attack in Jammu-Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 innocent civilians were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. In her video intervention as an NGO speaker, Rifat condemned the horrific attack as part of the persistent cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan-occupied Jammu-Kashmir, accusing Pakistan of continuously supporting terrorist organisations. She characterised the incident as a grave violation of human rights and a direct menace to global peace and security. Rifat called for international intervention, urging the global community to hold Pakistan responsible for its sponsorship of terrorism and demanding a unified and decisive response to state-sponsored terror activities. Her remarks at the UNHRC highlighted the increasing civilian deaths in Jammu and Kashmir. They reaffirmed the necessity of safeguarding the right to life, liberty, and security as stated in international human rights law. The 59th session of the Human Rights Council commenced its four-week meeting in Geneva with the annual report from the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, regarding the global human rights situation. Previously, Faiza Rifat expressed her support for India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Rifat emphasised that the CAA aims to provide a path to citizenship for religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Rifat stated that the CAA fulfils an urgent need by granting refuge and legal status to those who have faced persecution in their home countries historically. (ANI)
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Eritrea: Human Rights Council must vote to extend Special Rapporteur's mandate
Ahead of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) which is scheduled to decide on numerous draft resolutions between 4th and 7th July, among them a resolution to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and another to end the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: 'The Special Rapporteur's work in Eritrea is far from finished – member states of the UN Human Rights Council must vote to extend the Special Rapporteur's mandate and address the ongoing human rights violations as well as the lack of accountability for ongoing and past abuses. The European Union, which is leading the resolution to extend the mandate, should further strengthen it and heed the Special Rapporteur's calls on the need for accountability, as we prepare to mark a decade since the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea warned that crimes against humanity may have been committed in the country. 'Eritrea's attempt to table a counter resolution, designed to force an end to the Special Rapporteur's mandate, is a cynical attempt to undermine the UN human rights system. HRC member states should reject this show of open defiance against the body's mechanisms by voting against it' Background The mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea was created by the UN Human Rights Council in 2012 and supplemented by a two-year Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea from 2014 to 2016. Initial resolutions maintaining the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea were led by Djibouti and Somalia since 2012 until 2019. Speaking to the ongoing HRC session on 16 June the Special Rapporteur emphasized that 'nearly a decade has passed since the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea concluded that crimes against humanity may have been committed in a context of widespread and systematic human rights violations. Yet, no meaningful progress has been made toward accountability.' Following this presentation, Eritrea announced that it would counter the annual EU-led resolution with a resolution of its own to terminate the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
