India’s Draft Universal Periodic Report-II: A Case of Forced Marriage?

The paper has the objective of viewing the condition of women in terms of freedom of choice, freedom and expression and right of privacy. Also it views violence against women.Universal Periodic Report, HUMAN RIGHTS, INDIA, constitutional, legal, Freedom of religion, Right to privacy, marriage and family life, Torture, violence, women, justice, rule of law, public life

ACHR Weekly Review: Pakistan: The Land of Religious Apartheid and Jackboot Justice

On 14 August 2007, the United Nations Committee on the International Convention Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD Committee) is tentatively scheduled to examine the situation of Pakistan without the report of the government of Pakistan. The government of Pakistan has failed to submit its five periodic reports since January 1998.Pakistan, religious apartheid, jackboot justice, civil liberties, racial discrimination, United Nations, Sociology, Interntional Affairs, ESCR rights, Pakistani Hindu Council, balochis, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Asian center off human rights

“Life Is Not Ours”: Attacks on indigenous Jumma peoples of Bangladesh and the need for international action

On 28th April 2008, hundreds of illegal plain settlers attacked the local Jumma people in Bangladesh. Hundreds of people were displaced and their houses burned. People suffered from such a level of shock that many of them did not come forward to take the relief fund declared for them by government. However these casualties did not get the due place in Bangladeshi press. United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues also failed to take up the issue.Bangladesh, indigenous, United Nations, attack, international action, press

Malaysia: A Country for Old Men

The emergence of China and India as economic giants has impacted the influence of Malaysia. Despite its remarkable economic and social success, Malaysia’s three main races – Malays, Indians and Chinese live increasingly separate lives. The Prime Minister Badawi government has failed to move beyond tokenism which fails to disguise an increasingly Malay-dominated profile.Malaysia, China, India, economy, Anwar Ibrahim,

The Withdrawal of OHCHR-Nepal: Agreeing an Alibi for Violation?

On 9th June 2010 the mandate of the UN human rights field mission to Nepal, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal), expires. The Prime Minister MK Nepal has said that a decision will be taken soon, but most observers and media reports suggest that the government is considering three options: no extension to the mandate, the OHCHR-NEPAL moving to a limited advisory role to the NHRC, and thirdly, a three to six month extension with a limited mandate.2 From 2003 civil society fought and won the battle to introduce international monitors in the face of failing national mechanisms and oppressive government. Now opinions in civil society are more divided. ACHR examines a case for a withdrawal of external monotoring.Nepal, national mechanisms, NHRC, human rights, OHCHR, media, UN, national human rights commission

Maldives: Judiciary Under the President Thumb

In March 2006,President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom announced the "Roadmap for the Reform Agenda". The reform measures undertaken by the government have been half-harted. Instances of arbitrary arrests, detention, tourture, denial of access to lawyers have continuesd uabated.Maldives, Judiciary, President Thumb, reforms.

Evaluate Anti-Naxal Policies of the Chhatisgarh Government: Naxal Conflict Monitor April 11, 2007

The State has the responsibility to ensure right to life of the citizens. Involving civilians directly in armed conflicts only increases the risks to their lives and prolongs the conflicts. Common citizens cannot be asked to provide security against the armed groups. However, various State governments have been increasingly involving civilians in the conflict with the Naxalites.security, state, civilian, civilians, government, naxalite, salva judum, Chhatisgarh,tribals, anti-Naxal policies, citizens, conflict

The Naxals get lethal: Chhattisgarh continues to be the epicenter of the conflict

Chhattisgarh continues to be the epicenter of the Naxalite conflict as a direct consequence of the counter-insurgency Salwa Judum campaign. There have been credible reports of serious human rights violations by the security forces while combating the Naxalites. Though security forces identify all those killed by them as “Naxalites”, there have been allegations of fake encounter killings. The response of the government of India and the State governments remained the same – full of rhetoric and lack of implementation of the programmes.Chattisgarh, Naxalite conflicts, Slawa Judum, security forces, human rights,union government state government, human right violation, jan adalats,

The Naxal Conflict: Killings Decreases, Conflict Intensifies

The paper analyses the conflicts in Naxal affected areas and how the respected authorities deal with the Naxalism. Asian Centre for Human Rights consistently reiterated that there has been no dearth of development schemes in India but the implementation of such schemes perennially remained problematic and implementation of the schemes in Naxal affected areas almost came to a virtual halt because of the increased conflict. [ACHR]Naxal, Naxalism, security, development, killings

Withdrawal of the Maoists’ unilateral cease-fire:Where does Nepal go?

The government of Nepal took an illegal measure to try the cases under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Ordinance. Under the amendments, all anti-terrorist cases will be heard in-camera and defense lawyers will no longer be provided legal documents. The cardinal principle of jurisprudence – the presumption of innocence and fair trial - has been murdered.Nepal, Maoist, cease-fire, human rights violations, security forces,right to education,judiciary,press freedom, famine, justice