Page 292 - Social Issues
Satyarthi calls on Pope; seeks support for new global law against online child sexual abuse
Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Friday called on Pope Francis and sought his support for a new legally binding international law against growing digital and online forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse cases. The Pope has appointed an officer from the Vatican to coordinate with Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation to combat the menace, Satyarthi said. "Grateful to His Holiness Pope Francis for extending his full support to my demand for a legally binding global UN Convention against online child sexual abuse backed by a Global Task Force and dedicated international toll-free helpline to provide holistic support to victims," he said. The extraterritorial jurisdiction for the proposed law is absolutely essential as online crimes transcend across borders, Satyarthi said during his meeting with the head of the Catholic church here. The Nobel laureate is meeting all stakeholders irrespective of caste, creed, religion, ethnicity, political affinity and nationality to ...
Women activists eager to visit shrine should instead visit
Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen wondered why women activists were so eager to enter the Sabarimala shrine, which opened for a two-month long pilgrimage season Friday, and said instead they should visit villages where women face several issues. "I do not understand why women activists are so eager to enter Sabarimala. Better they should enter the villages where women suffer from domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, hate, where girls have no access to education, health care, and no freedom to take a job or get equal pay," the writer tweeted. The author has been living in exile in India and Europe after having incurred the wrath of fundamentalists back home over a novel written by her in 1994. Activist Trupti Desai, who arrived in Kochi en route to the hill shrine early Friday, gave up her plans following protests by devotees and others including the BJP, outside the Kochi airport. She was not allowed to come out of the airport with protesters vowing not .
WCD Ministry approves 3 fresh proposals for expenditure under Nirbhaya Fund
The Empowered Committee of Officers under Nirbhaya Fund, under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry on Friday approved three major proposals. These were with regard to setting up setting up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to dispose off pending cases of rape, training for forensics in sexual assault cases, and setting up video surveillance system at 50 Railway stations.The WCD Ministry in a press note said that Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice had proposed to set up 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to dispose off pending cases of rape, and POCSO Act across the country. The project has a total financial implication of Rs. 767.25 crores. In the First phase, 777 FTSCs may be set up in 9 states and in second phase 246 FTSCs will be set up.The Ministry of Home Affairs had proposed for procurement of forensic kits for sexual assault cases. To begin usage of such kits in States and Union Territories, TOTs (Training of Trainers), .
Myanmar detains Rohingyas fleeing to Malaysia by boat
Dozens of Rohingyas were detained by the Myanmar police on Friday after they came ashore in the country's Kyauktan region.
Rahul Easwar warns Trupti Desai from entering Sabarimala temple
Despite the Supreme Court lifting ban over entry of women of menstruating age inside the Sabrimala Temple, Ayappa Dharma Sena president Rahul Easwar on Friday warned woman activist Trupti Desai from entering the shrine.Easwar, who is against the entry of menstruating age women inside the sanctum sanctorum, said: "Trupti Desai should go back. She will have to step on our chests and walk over us if she wants to enter the Sabarimala Temple."As the Temple reopened today, Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was imposed in the towns of Nilakkal, Pamba and Sannidhanman as a precautionary measure.The step was taken as the state braces for a bout of fresh protests against entry of women into the hill shrine.Founder of Bhumata Brigade Trupti Desai reached Cochin this morning to visit the Temple. However, she was unable to come out of the airport due to protests against her visit.She asserted that she will not return unless she visits the temple. "Police tried to evacuate us from ...
UNDP team calls on Assam CM
A UNDP team called upon Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday and discussed various issues related to implementation of welfare schemes of the Government, an official release said here. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been extending support to the Government of India since 1952 regarding implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various welfare schemes in different parts of the country. The UNDP works in almost 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. Jakob J Simonsen, leader of the UNDP State Outreach Mission delegation, informed Sonowal that the UN agency has presently changed its operational methods and decentralised the entire process. The UNDP now extends expert advice to the state governments also in the implementation and monitoring of the programmes. The agency is working with the Union government in the execution of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the
Government approves three new projects under Nirbhaya Fund
The government on Friday approved three new proposals - fast-track special courts, procurement of forensic kits in sexual assault cases and setting up video surveillance system at 50 railway stations under the Nirbhaya Fund.
People protesting Citizenship Bill stopped from proceeding towards Assam secretariat
Thousands of people attempted to march towards the Assam Secretariat here Friday against the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, but were halted by the security forces. People from 70 organisations were part of the march held as part of their 'Janata Bhawan Gherao' programme. On not being stopped security personnel, the protestors squatted on the Last Gate Road, behind the secretariat, blocking traffic on the busy thoroughfare for several hours, police said. Members and supporters of the organisations, led by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP), had congregated here Friday morning to gherao the secretariat. Barricades had been placed around the government building and personnel from the Assam Police and the CRPF were deployed in large numbers to prevent the protestors from staging their 'Sankalpa Shikha Jatra' against the Bill. The demonstrators held a massive rally on the road with leaders of the organisations speaking
Satyarthi calls on Pope; seeks support for new global law against digital child sexual abuse
Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Friday called on Pope Francis and sought his support for a new legally binding international law against growing digital and online forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse cases. The extraterritorial jurisdiction for the proposed law is absolutely essential as online crimes transcend across borders, Satyarthi said during his meeting with the head of the Catholic church here. The Nobel laureate is meeting all stakeholders irrespective of caste, creed, religion, ethnicity, political affinity and nationality to garner support for the movement. Satyarthi, who has been demanding for a new convention, has written to all the heads of states. This request has also been submitted to the UN Secretary General and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an intergovernmental economic organisation with 36 member countries. The meeting between Satyarthi and the Pope took place in the backdrop of him summoning the Presidents of ...
Former Himachal official shoots self
Former Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Chairperson Chandra Mohan Sharma allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself at his residence here, police said on Friday. He was 67.
Rahul goes ballistic against Modi, MP CM
Flaying Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inflicting the "biggest scam" on the nation in the form of demonetisation, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday assured the people of Madhya Pradesh that his party, if voted to power, would waive farm loans and turn the state into Indias agriculture hub.
Rohingya refugee camp quiet after Bangladesh postpone return
Normal life returned to a Rohingya Muslim refugee camp in Bangladesh on Friday a day after government officials postponed plans to begin repatriating residents to Myanmar when no one volunteered to go. The checkpoints at the entrance to Unchiprang, one of the refugee camps near the city of Cox's Bazar, were temporarily left unguarded on Friday morning a sign of easing tensions as about 500 people crowded into a mosque for Friday prayers. One of the imams, Abdul Hakim, told the devotees that the government could not force Rohingya to go back without Myanmar guaranteeing them protection and civil rights, to which they raised their hands and replied, "Amen." More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh from western Myanmar's Rakhine state since August 2017 to escape killings and destruction of their villages by the military and Buddhist vigilantes that have drawn widespread condemnation of Myanmar. Bangladesh's refugee commission had planned to begin a voluntary repatriation ..
Former HPPSC chairman commits suicide in Shimla
A former chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) allegedly shot himself to death with his licensed revolver here on Friday morning, police said. Major General (retired) C R Sharma was reportedly suffering from depression. Prima facie it seems that Sharma has committed suicide at his residence in Jakhu. The matter is being investigated from all aspects, Superintendent of Police (SP) Omapati Jamwal told PTI. The body has been sent for postmortem, the police said.
Gender activist Trupti holed up at Kochi airport
Gender activist Trupti Desai and six other women flew into Kochi on Friday to pray at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala but were forced to remain in the airport for hours as hundreds of BJP and Hindu activists blocked their exit.
Head constable on duty at Secretariat shoots self dead
A 35-year-old head constable of Delhi Police on duty at the Secretariat allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service pistol on Friday morning, police said. The deceased has been identified as Sohanveer, they added. The police were informed about it at 5.30 am, a senior police officer said. A suicide note has been recovered which indicated domestic discord as the reason for taking such an extreme step, the police said, adding an inquiry was underway.
Sikh asylum cases see big spurt as Canada acknowledges revival of separatism (IANS Exclusive)
The number of asylum seekers in Canada from India, a majority of them Sikhs, has soared by over 300 per cent in the past two years alone, with the Canadian government agencies acknowledging "renewed support for separatism in the Punjab region".
Rahul targets Modi, MP CM
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetization, calling it the "biggest scam" in the country, and attacked the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh over corruption and unemployment.
Bangladesh continues efforts to repatriate Rohingyas to Myanmar
Bangladesh on Friday continued its efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar after a failed attempt the day before because none were willing to return.
Sabarimala protests: Gender activist Trupti Desai still at Kochi airport
Gender activist Trupti Desai and six other women, who arrived here on Friday to visit the Sabarimala temple amid strong protests by Hindu activists, were still at the airport after almost eight hours.
US fails to weaken UN references to sexual health
The United States failed in an attempt to water down references to "sexual and reproductive health" in a UN resolution Thursday despite support from China and many Islamic countries. The General Assembly's human rights committee defeated the US attempt to amend the resolution aimed at preventing and ending early and forced child marriages by a vote of 33-96 with 35 abstentions. Traditional US allies including the European Union and Western nations opposed the Trump administration's amendment along with many African and Latin American countries. The amendment would have weakened all references to "sexual and reproductive health" in the text by adding the words "in accordance with national laws" immediately afterward. Following the amendment's defeat, the committee adopted the resolution sponsored by Canada and Zambia by consensus. It is virtually certain to be approved by the 193-member assembly in December. Kelley Currie, the deputy US ambassador for economic and social affairs, ...
