Human Rights Violations

Human rights office urges Colombia to suspend airstrikes after child deaths

Colombia's human rights ombudswoman called on President Gustavo Petro Monday to suspend airstrikes against rebel groups in the South American country, after revealing that at least five teenagers had been killed in strikes conducted by Colombia's military in October and November. In a video published Monday, human rights ombudswoman Iris Marn said that at least one teenager, a female, was killed in a strike against the FARC-EMC rebel group in Arauca province last week, while four teenagers who had been forcibly recruited by the group were killed in another strike in the first week of October. On Saturday, Marn had revealed that seven minors were killed in another strike against the FARC-EMC in the southern province of Guaviare, where the government has launched an offensive against Nestor Gregorio Vera, a powerful rebel leader known also as Ivn Mordisco. That means that at least 12 minors have been killed this year in airstrikes conducted by Colombia's government. Military prosecut

SC to give order on Sept 26 over lack of working CCTVs in police stations

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would pass order on September 26 in a suo motu matter concerning lack of functional CCTVs in police stations. "The issue is of oversight," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed while hearing the matter. On September 4, the apex court had taken suo motu cognisance of a media report which stated there were 11 deaths in police custody in Rajasthan in the past eight months. It had noted that as per the report, seven of these incidents happened in Udaipur division itself. The apex court had in 2018 ordered installation of CCTV cameras in police stations to check human rights abuses. In December 2020, the top court had directed the Centre to install CCTV cameras and recording equipment at the offices of investigating agencies, including the CBI, the ED and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). It had said that states and Union Territories should ensure that CCTV cameras were installed at each and every police station, at all e

World Day for Int'l Justice 2025: Theme, significance & why we celebrate

World Day for International Justice, or International Justice Day or Day of International Criminal Justice, is celebrated annually on July 17 to celebrate the role played by the ICC in serving justice

Over 100 displaced Manipuri families crammed in crowded college relief camp

While active violence has subsided, fear and mistrust continue to divide communities. Roads remain blocked, essential supplies are limited, and infrastructure left crippled by months of unrest

Migrants deported from US to Salvadoran prison under US control: Officials

The government of El Salvador has acknowledged to United Nations investigators that the Trump administration maintains control of the Venezuelan men who were deported from the US to a notorious Salvadoran prison, contradicting public statements by officials in both countries. The revelation was contained in court filings Monday by lawyers for more than 100 migrants who are seeking to challenge their deportations to El Salvador's mega-prison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT. The case is among several challenging President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. In this context, the jurisdiction and legal responsibility for these persons lie exclusively with the competent foreign authorities, Salvadoran officials wrote in response to queries from the unit of the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The UN group has been looking into the fate of the men who were sent to El Salvador from the United States in mid-March, even after a US judge had ordered

Violation of human rights: NHRC takes cognizance of Ashoka professor arrest

Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested earlier this week for his social media post over India's 'Operation Sindoor'

Donald Trump's first 100 days 'disastrous' for human rights, warns Amnesty

US' failures to address inequalities, climate collapse, and tech transformations around the world could imperil future generations, says international non-government organisation Amnesty International

Human rights suffocated by autocrats, warmongers, says UN chief Guterres

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says human rights are being suffocated around the world, lashing out at voices of division and anger who see them as a barrier to their quest for power and profit. In a speech to the Human Rights Council, Guterres decried Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine that marked its third anniversary Monday, appealed for a permanent cease-fire between Palestinian militants and Israel, and urged respect for Congo's territorial integrity, among other things. While reiterating many of his concerns about conflict and climate change, the U.N. chief said he would propose new ideas to the Security Council aimed to bring greater stability and security for the people of Haiti, where a multinational security support mission has been deployed. Guterres depicted a world where human rights were on the ropes and being pummeled hard" by warmongers, a morally bankrupt global financial system" that favors profits over planet protections, those who might exploit artificial

UP police submits 3,000 page long charge sheet in Sambhal violence case

The charge sheet is based on six cases filed in two police stations related to the violence

Protecting privacy as a human right in digital age crucial: NHRC chief

NHRC chairperson Justice (retd) V Ramasubramanian emphasised that safeguarding "privacy as a human right" in the digital world is necessary, even as he pointed out that there is a "significant decline" in value systems and one must bear its consequences. The National Human Rights Commission chief's remarks came during an open house discussion on 'Ensuring privacy and human rights in the digital era: A focus on corporate digital responsibility' held at its premises, with some participants joining virtually, according to an NHRC statement on Wednesday. Some of the important suggestions that emanated from the discussion include simplifying user agreements and policy frameworks to enhance consumer understanding and control over personal data; establishing "clear accountability" structures for data breaches, especially for research institutions and third-party data processors; and strengthening user consent frameworks for greater transparency and informed decision-making. Having "explic

SC asks Centre to set up panel to safeguard domestic workers' rights

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre for a legal framework on the protection of the rights of domestic workers rights observing their exploitation and a "legal vacuum". In the opinion of a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, for now, there seemed no effective legislative or executive action to enact a statute, which could provide solace to millions of vulnerable domestic workers across the country. "The simple reason for this harassment and rampant abuse, which seems to be prevalent throughout the country, is the legal vacuum which exists vis--vis the rights and protection of domestic workers," the court said. Indeed, domestic workers in India remain largely unprotected and without any comprehensive legal recognition. As a result, they frequently endure low wages, unsafe environments, and extended hours without effective recourse, it added. The court directed the Ministry of Labour and Employment along with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, th

India, EU discuss protecting human rights in 11th dialogue meet in Delhi

India and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to principles and values of democracy, rule of law and human rights and agreed on the need to safeguard freedom and diversity of civil society actors. The issues were extensively discussed at the 11th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue held in Delhi. The two sides discussed the issues related to civil and political rights, social, economic, and cultural rights, countering religious hatred, elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and opinion, both online and offline, a joint readout said. While the EU reiterated its opposition to capital punishment, India reiterated its stand on recognition of the right to development as a "distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right," it said. India is among few countries that still have death penalty. "During the dialogue, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to the shared principles

Human right panel asks X to remove AAP campaign post featuring children

In the letter, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo noted that the Commission had taken cognisance of the matter under Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

Railway Board flags violation of continuous night duty norm for loco-pilots

The Railway Board has asked the Centre for Railway Information Systems to provide alert to crew controllers in case of violation of its instructions regarding continuous night duty for running staff such as loco pilots. As per the board's guidelines, Continuous night duty for running staff should be limited to four nights with the fourth night towards the headquarters. However, it has been observed that railways are violating these instructions by continuing to book running staff after 4 consecutive nights due to absence of alert in CMS (Crew Management System), the Board said in its letter dated December 26, 2024 addressed to the managing director of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). In CMS reports for the month of October, November and December (till date), total 1360, 1224 and 696 cases of loco pilots with five and more than five continuous night duty were recorded respectively, the board's letter added. Advising CRIS to provide alerts on crew booking console of

US NSA speaks with Mohd Yunus, expresses commitment to uphold human rights

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday spoke with Bangladesh interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and both leaders expressed their commitment to respecting and protecting the human rights of all. Sullivan also thanked Yunus for his leadership of Bangladesh during a challenging period, according to a press release issued by the US government. It said that both leaders expressed their commitment to respecting and protecting the human rights of all people, regardless of religion. Sullivan also reiterated the US support for a prosperous, stable, and democratic Bangladesh, and offered his country's continued support in meeting the challenges that the South Asian nation faces. Yunus, 84, was sworn in as the chief adviser of Bangladesh on August 8, three days after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India in the face of a massive anti-government protest. There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities,

Basic human rights must be respected: US State Department on Bangladesh

When asked about the USA's reaction to recent protests by thousands of Hindus around the US, India and Bangladesh, Patel said that this issue is vital to the US

Canada targets Chinese officials with sanctions over human rights abuses

The Canadian government's decision came in response to ongoing reports of systemic repression and abuses in China

US adds textile cos to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List

These goods are not allowed to enter the US as the forced labour used behind these goods is against the human rights of Uyghurs

Afghan women banned from hearing other women's voices in new Taliban rule

Taliban's latest decree further limits women's freedom by barring them from reciting prayers aloud, even in the presence of other women

Some pernicious forces trying to show India in bad colour: VP Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday cautioned that some pernicious forces were trying to show India in a "bad colour" and called for a "counter-attack" to neutralise such attempts. He also said India does not like to be sermonised or lectured on human rights . Addressing the foundation day celebrations of the National Human Rights Commission here, he described Partition, imposition of Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as traumatising events which "stand as sombre reminder of fragility of liberty". Dhankhar said there are "pernicious forces, that in a structured manner, seek to unfairly seek to taint us". He said these forces have a "sinister design" to use international fora to question our human rights record. He said there was need to neutralise such forces and said he would use the term "pratighat" or counter-attack to fit the Indian context. The vice president said these forces have devised indexes and rank everyone in the world to show "our nation in bad colour".