Iran’s most prominent human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been allowed to leave prison for 21 days to recover from surgery for suspected cancer, and her family criticised the decision as "too little, too late".&nbsp;

An Iranian prosecutor on Tuesday (Dec. 3) suspended Mohammadi's prison term for three weeks. However, her family and lawyers requested a three-month release.&nbsp;

She has now been allowed by the Iranian authorities to recover from an operation she had in November to remove part of a bone in her lower right leg, where doctors discovered a lesion suspected of being cancerous.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-authorities-bar-nobel-laureate-narges-mohammadi-from-attending-fathers-funeral-695294">Also read:&nbsp;Iranian authorities bar Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi from attending father's funeral</a>

Mohammadi has been left "unable to walk," her family told CNN, adding, "She is in an ambulance on her way home."&nbsp;

Moreover, she had to pay the ambulance fee, which was not subsidised by Iranian authorities.&nbsp;

The Narges Foundation, which is run by Mohammadi's family, stated, "After over a decade of imprisonment, Narges required specialized medical care in a safe, sanitary environment – a basic human right. As doctors have emphasized, a minimum of three months’ recovery is crucial for her healing.”

They further criticised the ruling as giving her insufficient time to recover.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi begins new hunger strike

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The activist has spent most of the past two decades as an inmate of Iran's Evin prison.

She has been accused of acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the state.&nbsp;

She is currently serving multiple sentences totaling more than 30 years.&nbsp;

Earlier in November, her family accused the Iranian regime of trying to bring about her "slow death" by depriving her of the surgery needed to confirm her cancer diagnosis.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran’s most prominent human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been allowed to leave prison for 21 days to recover from surgery for suspected cancer, and her family criticised the decision as "too little, too late".

Iran’s most prominent human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been allowed to leave prison for 21 days to recover from surgery for suspected cancer, and her family criticised the decision as "too little, too late". An Iranian prosecutor on Tuesday (Dec. 3) suspended Mohammadi's prison term for three weeks. However, her family and lawyers requested a three-month release. She has now been allowed by the Iranian authorities to recover from an operation she had in November to remove part of a bone in her lower right leg, where doctors discovered a lesion suspected of being cancerous. Also read: Iranian authorities bar Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi from attending father's funeral Mohammadi has been left "unable to walk," her family told CNN, adding, "She is in an ambulance on her way home." Moreover, she had to pay the ambulance fee, which was not subsidised by Iranian authorities. The Narges Foundation, which is run by Mohammadi's family, stated, "After over a decade of imprisonment, Narges required specialized medical care in a safe, sanitary environment – a basic human right. As doctors have emphasized, a minimum of three months’ recovery is crucial for her healing.” They further criticised the ruling as giving her insufficient time to recover. Watch | Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi begins new hunger strike × The activist has spent most of the past two decades as an inmate of Iran's Evin prison. She has been accused of acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the state. She is currently serving multiple sentences totaling more than 30 years. Earlier in November, her family accused the Iranian regime of trying to bring about her "slow death" by depriving her of the surgery needed to confirm her cancer diagnosis. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran temporarily releases Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi from prison for 21 days after surgery

Jailed Iranian rights activist Narges Mohammadi who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 earlier this month, was able to smuggle out a letter thanking the award-giving body, on Tuesday (Oct 31). Mohammadi was given the prestigious award for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and the promotion of human rights and freedom for all.

The 51-year-old journalist and activist, has campaigned against the mandatory hijab for women in Iran and the death penalty. Tehran is currently among the worst countries for women’s rights. The award which was announced on October 6 is seen as a rebuke to Iranian leaders and a boost for anti-government protesters.&nbsp;

<h2>Chants of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’</h2>

The jailed activist is currently in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison where she is serving multiple sentences. Mohammadi has been detained by the Iranian regime on 13 occasions, received convictions on five occasions, and faced a cumulative sentence of 31 years in prison, along with 154 lashings.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-human-rights-activist-narges-mohammadi-gets-nobel-peace-prize-643284">Nobel Peace Prize 2023 goes to Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi</a>

The letter smuggled out of the prison was read by her 17-year-old daughter Kiana in a video posted on the Nobel Prize’s X page. It said that the news of her winning the Peace award was met with cries from her cellmates of “Woman, Life, Freedom”, the slogan of the movement of which she is part.

Mohammadi – in her first official reaction to winning the prestigious award – expressed her “deepest gratitude” to the Nobel Committee for recognising the “powerful and significant message".

“The power of protest demonstrated by the people of Iran in their evolutionary and social movements,” said the 51-year-old journalist. She said that the prize also marked a turning point in “empowering protest and social movements worldwide”.&nbsp;

In the letter, Mohammadi spoke about how people in countries in the Middle East like Iran and Afghanistan even before recognising and understanding the concepts of “freedom, democracy and human rights” through scholarly theories and scientific texts, understood their necessity due to their life experiences under “oppression and discrimination”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-urges-iran-to-free-nobel-peace-prize-winner-narges-mohammadi-643345">United Nations urges Iran to free Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi</a>

<h2>‘Victory is not easy’</h2>

“I am grateful to all of you and urge you to support the people of Iran until the final victory,” said the 51-year-old in the&nbsp;letter read by her daughter. She added, “Victory is not easy, but it is certain.”&nbsp;

Iran witnessed a wave of anti-government protests which the officials in Tehran have blamed on the West. The Islamic Republic also condemned the Nobel Committee’s decision to award Mohammadi the Peace Prize and said it was meddling and politicising the issue of human rights.&nbsp;

“The strength of this movement lies in the agency of Iranian women. We assuredly know what we want far better than what we do not want,” said Mohammadi. “We believe in it, commit to it, and are certain of victory!”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-nobel-peace-prize-five-laureates-who-were-in-jail-when-they-won-643495">Nobel Peace Prize: Five Laureates who were in jail when they won</a>

Earlier this year, the 51-year-old journalist was among the three imprisoned Iranian journalists who were honoured with the United Nations’ World Press Freedom Prize.

The Peace Prize is granted to individuals who have made substantial contributions to fostering fraternity among nations, reducing standing armies, and advancing peace congresses.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Jailed Iranian rights activist Narges Mohammadi who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 earlier this month, was able to smuggle out a letter thanking the award-giving body, on Tuesday (Oct 31).

Jailed Iranian rights activist Narges Mohammadi who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 earlier this month, was able to smuggle out a letter thanking the award-giving body, on Tuesday (Oct 31). Mohammadi was given the prestigious award for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and the promotion of human rights and freedom for all. The 51-year-old journalist and activist, has campaigned against the mandatory hijab for women in Iran and the death penalty. Tehran is currently among the worst countries for women’s rights. The award which was announced on October 6 is seen as a rebuke to Iranian leaders and a boost for anti-government protesters. Chants of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ The jailed activist is currently in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison where she is serving multiple sentences. Mohammadi has been detained by the Iranian regime on 13 occasions, received convictions on five occasions, and faced a cumulative sentence of 31 years in prison, along with 154 lashings. ALSO READ | Nobel Peace Prize 2023 goes to Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi The letter smuggled out of the prison was read by her 17-year-old daughter Kiana in a video posted on the Nobel Prize’s X page. It said that the news of her winning the Peace award was met with cries from her cellmates of “Woman, Life, Freedom”, the slogan of the movement of which she is part. Mohammadi – in her first official reaction to winning the prestigious award – expressed her “deepest gratitude” to the Nobel Committee for recognising the “powerful and significant message". “The power of protest demonstrated by the people of Iran in their evolutionary and social movements,” said the 51-year-old journalist. She said that the prize also marked a turning point in “empowering protest and social movements worldwide”. In the letter, Mohammadi spoke about how people in countries in the Middle East like Iran and Afghanistan even before recognising and understanding the concepts of “freedom, democracy and human rights” through scholarly theories and scientific texts, understood their necessity due to their life experiences under “oppression and discrimination”. ALSO READ | United Nations urges Iran to free Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi ‘Victory is not easy’ “I am grateful to all of you and urge you to support the people of Iran until the final victory,” said the 51-year-old in the letter read by her daughter. She added, “Victory is not easy, but it is certain.” Iran witnessed a wave of anti-government protests which the officials in Tehran have blamed on the West. The Islamic Republic also condemned the Nobel Committee’s decision to award Mohammadi the Peace Prize and said it was meddling and politicising the issue of human rights. “The strength of this movement lies in the agency of Iranian women. We assuredly know what we want far better than what we do not want,” said Mohammadi. “We believe in it, commit to it, and are certain of victory!” ALSO READ | Nobel Peace Prize: Five Laureates who were in jail when they won Earlier this year, the 51-year-old journalist was among the three imprisoned Iranian journalists who were honoured with the United Nations’ World Press Freedom Prize. The Peace Prize is granted to individuals who have made substantial contributions to fostering fraternity among nations, reducing standing armies, and advancing peace congresses. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi smuggles out letter of thanks for Nobel Peace Prize

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned a number of prisoners, including prominent activist and leading figure of the country’s 2011 uprising, Ahmed Douma, on Saturday (August 19), reported the state TV and confirmed his lawyers. Douma, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison four years ago for rioting and attacking security forces, has received a presidential pardon, said his lawyers.&nbsp;

<h2>Presidential pardons and Douma’s release</h2>

A member of the presidential pardons committee, lawyer Tarek Elawady, said that the president has “used his constitutional powers” to pardon several prisoners, including Douma, as per AFP. This also comes months ahead of the upcoming presidential election scheduled for 2024.

Douma, now 37, like several other prominent activists in Egypt was jailed following a crackdown, in 2013. This was after the military ouster of toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak’s successor, Islamist Mohamed Morsi.&nbsp;

Speaking about the activist’s release, prominent rights lawyer Khaled Ali took to social media and said he was waiting outside Badr prison on the outskirts of the capital Cairo for Douma.&nbsp;

<h2>Work of the ‘devil’: Douma’s case and sentencing</h2>

While delivering the activist’s verdict the judge said Douma was part of a crowd that broke into parliament and damaged part of it and described the act as them doing the work of the “devil”. Douma was sentenced by court in 2019, on charges of clashing with security forces in the capital.&nbsp;

The 15-year sentence, in 2019, was lessened after the previous 25-year sentence was handed down, in 2015. Egypt’s top appeals court later in 2019, upheld the 15-year sentence, which also included a fine of six million Egyptian pounds ($372,000 at the time).

The 37-year-old was among the key activists from the revolution who continued to remain behind bars, including British-Egyptian pro-democracy blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has been jailed for nearly a decade now.&nbsp;

The incumbent president and former army chief who spearheaded Morsi’s ouster has been accused of leading a relentless crackdown on both pro-democracy campaigners and Islamists during his time in office.

While the incumbent president has pardoned numerous prominent figures over the past year, critics argue that recently arrested people have taken their place.&nbsp;

A report by AFP citing Egyptian rights monitors said since April 2022, officials have released 1,000 political prisoners but also detained nearly 3,000.

Last month, Egyptian rights researcher Patrick Zaki and lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer were also pardoned by al-Sisi.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned a number of prisoners, including prominent activist and leading figure of the country’s 2011 uprising, Ahmed Douma, on Saturday (August 19), reported the state TV and confirmed his lawyers.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned a number of prisoners, including prominent activist and leading figure of the country’s 2011 uprising, Ahmed Douma, on Saturday (August 19), reported the state TV and confirmed his lawyers. Douma, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison four years ago for rioting and attacking security forces, has received a presidential pardon, said his lawyers. Presidential pardons and Douma’s release A member of the presidential pardons committee, lawyer Tarek Elawady, said that the president has “used his constitutional powers” to pardon several prisoners, including Douma, as per AFP. This also comes months ahead of the upcoming presidential election scheduled for 2024. Douma, now 37, like several other prominent activists in Egypt was jailed following a crackdown, in 2013. This was after the military ouster of toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak’s successor, Islamist Mohamed Morsi. Speaking about the activist’s release, prominent rights lawyer Khaled Ali took to social media and said he was waiting outside Badr prison on the outskirts of the capital Cairo for Douma. Work of the ‘devil’: Douma’s case and sentencing While delivering the activist’s verdict the judge said Douma was part of a crowd that broke into parliament and damaged part of it and described the act as them doing the work of the “devil”. Douma was sentenced by court in 2019, on charges of clashing with security forces in the capital. The 15-year sentence, in 2019, was lessened after the previous 25-year sentence was handed down, in 2015. Egypt’s top appeals court later in 2019, upheld the 15-year sentence, which also included a fine of six million Egyptian pounds ($372,000 at the time). The 37-year-old was among the key activists from the revolution who continued to remain behind bars, including British-Egyptian pro-democracy blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has been jailed for nearly a decade now. The incumbent president and former army chief who spearheaded Morsi’s ouster has been accused of leading a relentless crackdown on both pro-democracy campaigners and Islamists during his time in office. While the incumbent president has pardoned numerous prominent figures over the past year, critics argue that recently arrested people have taken their place. A report by AFP citing Egyptian rights monitors said since April 2022, officials have released 1,000 political prisoners but also detained nearly 3,000. Last month, Egyptian rights researcher Patrick Zaki and lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer were also pardoned by al-Sisi. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Egypt’s president pardons jailed activist Ahmed Douma, several others

Two employees of Afghanistan's human rights body were killed following a bomb attack in capital Kabul, the agency said. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission said the duo died when a homemade "sticky bomb" attached to their vehicle exploded in the morning.

Two employees of Afghanistan's human rights body were killed following a bomb attack in capital Kabul, the agency said. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission said the duo died when a homemade "sticky bomb" attached to their vehicle exploded in the morning. Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramurz confirmed the attack, which has not been claimed by any group so far. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemned the killings. "There can be no justification for attacks against human rights defenders," it said on Twitter, calling for an immediate probe. The attack comes less than a week after two prosecutors and three other employees from the attorney general's office were shot dead by gunmen on the outskirts of Kabul. On May 30, a television journalist was killed when a minibus carrying employees of private television channel Khurshid TV was hit by a roadside bomb in the city. That attack was claimed by the extremist Islamic State group. Violence had dropped across much of the country after the Taliban offered a brief ceasefire to mark the Eid al-Fitr festival last month, but officials say the insurgents have stepped up attacks in recent weeks. Most attacks by the Taliban have targeted Afghan security forces, although there are regular police reports that civilians have been killed in roadside bomb blasts. On Saturday, the National Security Council said 21 civilians were killed and 30 wounded in attacks over the past week across 14 provinces. The Taliban and Afghan government are preparing to enter into much delayed peace talks aimed at ending the war in the country. (With inputs from AFP)

Bomb attack kills two human rights workers in Kabul

Nobel Peace prize goes to Mukwege, Murad for work against sexual violence

Gunmen shot a Sikh peace activist on Tuesday in Peshawar on Tuesday, killing him on the spot. The gunman fired shots at Scheme Chowk, Budhbir area.&nbsp;

Charanjeet Singh, a human rights activists, and Sikh community leader was shot by bike-borne assailants on Tuesday morning. Singh had been living in Peshawar with his family for more than 20 years and was a respected&nbsp;leader in the region.&nbsp;

As per reports, Singh, at the time, was sitting in his shop when the attackers came on a bike and opened fire on him and fled.&nbsp;

Although the exact motive behind the incident is still unknown, community and local political leaders suspect the hand of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) hand in the attack.

In the run-up to the upcoming general election, which is scheduled for July 25, the political atmosphere of the country is getting increasingly turbulent. While the Pakistan Army and the ISI have been covertly supporting the extremism, a few players are contesting to bring a more liberal government in Islamabad.

The police have launched an investigation after lodging a case at Inqalab Police Station.&nbsp;

About 60,000 Sikhs live&nbsp;in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including 15,000 in&nbsp;Peshawar&nbsp;alone, who have time and again raised the issue of discrimination.&nbsp;

Charanjeet Singh, a human rights activists, and Sikh community leader was shot by bike-borne assailants on Tuesday morning

Gunmen shot a Sikh peace activist on Tuesday in Peshawar on Tuesday, killing him on the spot. The gunman fired shots at Scheme Chowk, Budhbir area. Charanjeet Singh, a human rights activists, and Sikh community leader was shot by bike-borne assailants on Tuesday morning. Singh had been living in Peshawar with his family for more than 20 years and was a respected leader in the region. As per reports, Singh, at the time, was sitting in his shop when the attackers came on a bike and opened fire on him and fled. Although the exact motive behind the incident is still unknown, community and local political leaders suspect the hand of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) hand in the attack. In the run-up to the upcoming general election, which is scheduled for July 25, the political atmosphere of the country is getting increasingly turbulent. While the Pakistan Army and the ISI have been covertly supporting the extremism, a few players are contesting to bring a more liberal government in Islamabad. The police have launched an investigation after lodging a case at Inqalab Police Station. About 60,000 Sikhs live in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including 15,000 in Peshawar alone, who have time and again raised the issue of discrimination.

Sikh human rights activist shot dead in Pakistan

Renowned lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir passed away on Sunday in Lahore due to a cardiac arrest. She was 66.&nbsp;

Jahangir was taken to a private hospital on Ferozepur Road after suffering a cardiac arrest where she passed away.&nbsp;

She was the head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court Bar Association.

She had gained recognition for her outspoken nature and taking up cases of victimised and marginalised sections of society, as well as speaking against human rights violations and her courageous stand against the military rule of General Ziaul Haq.&nbsp;

Jahangir was born in 1952 and became a democracy activist in 1983, she was imprisoned for participating in the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy against the military regime of General Ziaul Haq.

She was also put under house arrest in 2007 for her participation in the &nbsp;Lawyers&#39; Movement. She co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Women&#39;s Action Forum.

Jahangir also remained the special rapporteur of the UN Commission on Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions from 1998-2004 and was the special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of the UN Commission on Human Rights since 2004.

She received several awards, including a Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2010 and a Sitara-i-Imtiaz. She was also awarded a UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights and an Officier de la L&eacute;gion d&#39;honneur by France as well as received the 2014 Right Livelihood Award and the 2010 Freedom Award.

In the last post on her Twitter account, Jahangir cautioned the Supreme Court from selectively using the contempt of court law.&nbsp;

Jahangir was head of Pakistan's Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court Bar Association

Renowned lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir passed away on Sunday in Lahore due to a cardiac arrest. She was 66. Jahangir was taken to a private hospital on Ferozepur Road after suffering a cardiac arrest where she passed away. She was the head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court Bar Association. She had gained recognition for her outspoken nature and taking up cases of victimised and marginalised sections of society, as well as speaking against human rights violations and her courageous stand against the military rule of General Ziaul Haq. Jahangir was born in 1952 and became a democracy activist in 1983, she was imprisoned for participating in the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy against the military regime of General Ziaul Haq. She was also put under house arrest in 2007 for her participation in the Lawyers' Movement. She co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Women's Action Forum. Jahangir also remained the special rapporteur of the UN Commission on Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions from 1998-2004 and was the special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief of the UN Commission on Human Rights since 2004. She received several awards, including a Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2010 and a Sitara-i-Imtiaz. She was also awarded a UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights and an Officier de la Légion d'honneur by France as well as received the 2014 Right Livelihood Award and the 2010 Freedom Award. In the last post on her Twitter account, Jahangir cautioned the Supreme Court from selectively using the contempt of court law.

Renowned Pakistani lawyer, human rights activist Asma Jahangir dead at 66

The United States and Germany called on China to immediately release a prominent human rights activist who was jailed for eight years on Tuesday for subversion, the harshest sentence passed in a recent crackdown on activism.

Wu Gan, a blogger better known by his online name &quot;Super Vulgar Butcher&quot;, regularly championed sensitive cases of government abuses of power, both online and in street protests. He was detained in May 2015 and charged with subversion.

In a separate case, also on Tuesday, rights lawyer Xie Yang avoided criminal punishment despite being found guilty of inciting subversion, because he admitted his crimes.

&quot;We call on the Chinese authorities to release Wu immediately,&quot; the US&nbsp;and Germany embassies in China said in a joint statement.

&quot;As Xie has been exempted from punishment, we urge China to allow Xie to resume his professional activities without preconditions and be free of any restrictions.&quot;

China&#39;s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Beijing frequently denounces foreign concern about rights cases as an interference in China&#39;s internal affairs and says China is a country with rule of law.

Wu&#39;s sentence was the most severe in what rights groups have called an unprecedented attack on China&#39;s rights activists and lawyers, known as the 709 crackdown, which began in full force on July 9, 2015.

The hardline approach has shown no sign of softening as Chinese President Xi Jinping enters his second five-year term in office. 
&nbsp;

The United States and Germany called on China to immediately release a prominent human rights activist who was jailed for eight years on Tuesday for subversion, the harshest sentence passed in a recent crackdown on activism

The United States and Germany called on China to immediately release a prominent human rights activist who was jailed for eight years on Tuesday for subversion, the harshest sentence passed in a recent crackdown on activism. Wu Gan, a blogger better known by his online name "Super Vulgar Butcher", regularly championed sensitive cases of government abuses of power, both online and in street protests. He was detained in May 2015 and charged with subversion. In a separate case, also on Tuesday, rights lawyer Xie Yang avoided criminal punishment despite being found guilty of inciting subversion, because he admitted his crimes. "We call on the Chinese authorities to release Wu immediately," the US and Germany embassies in China said in a joint statement. "As Xie has been exempted from punishment, we urge China to allow Xie to resume his professional activities without preconditions and be free of any restrictions." China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Beijing frequently denounces foreign concern about rights cases as an interference in China's internal affairs and says China is a country with rule of law. Wu's sentence was the most severe in what rights groups have called an unprecedented attack on China's rights activists and lawyers, known as the 709 crackdown, which began in full force on July 9, 2015. The hardline approach has shown no sign of softening as Chinese President Xi Jinping enters his second five-year term in office.

US, Germany urge China to release jailed activist

The United Nations has demanded that China immediatly release prominant human rights activists from its custody and pay them compensation as per a document which is yet to be made public.

According to a report in The Guardian, which has accessed the unreleased document, Christian church leader Hu Shigen and lawyers Zhou Shifeng and Xie Yang were detained and tried as part of an unprecedented nationwide crackdown on human rights attorneys and activists that began in July 2015. The operation saw nearly 250 people detained and questioned by police. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The report, which is yet to be released according to The Guardian, from the UN&rsquo;s human rights council says the trio had their rights violated and calls China&rsquo;s laws incompatible with international norms.

Hu was jailed for seven-and-a-half years while Zhou was sentenced to seven years on subversion charges, while Xie is awaiting a verdict.

Asking China to act within six months, the report added &ldquo;The appropriate remedy would be to release Hu Shigen, Zhou Shifeng and Xie Yang immediately, and accord them an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The UN&rsquo;s working group on arbitrary detention, which reviewed the case, rejected Chinese government claims the three men voluntarily confessed to their crimes at their trials and said their detentions were &ldquo;made in total or partial non-observance of the international norms relating to the right to a fair trial,&rdquo; according to the&nbsp;report.

The group&nbsp;comprises&nbsp;a panel of five experts that falls under the UN&rsquo;s human rights council, of which China is a member. While its judgements are not legally binding, it investigates claims of rights violations and suggests remedies.&nbsp;

Thee report, which is yet to be released, from the UN?s human rights council says the trio had their rights violated and calls China?s laws incompatible with international norms.

The United Nations has demanded that China immediatly release prominant human rights activists from its custody and pay them compensation as per a document which is yet to be made public. According to a report in The Guardian, which has accessed the unreleased document, Christian church leader Hu Shigen and lawyers Zhou Shifeng and Xie Yang were detained and tried as part of an unprecedented nationwide crackdown on human rights attorneys and activists that began in July 2015. The operation saw nearly 250 people detained and questioned by police. The report, which is yet to be released according to The Guardian, from the UN’s human rights council says the trio had their rights violated and calls China’s laws incompatible with international norms. Hu was jailed for seven-and-a-half years while Zhou was sentenced to seven years on subversion charges, while Xie is awaiting a verdict. Asking China to act within six months, the report added “The appropriate remedy would be to release Hu Shigen, Zhou Shifeng and Xie Yang immediately, and accord them an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations.” The UN’s working group on arbitrary detention, which reviewed the case, rejected Chinese government claims the three men voluntarily confessed to their crimes at their trials and said their detentions were “made in total or partial non-observance of the international norms relating to the right to a fair trial,” according to the report. The group comprises a panel of five experts that falls under the UN’s human rights council, of which China is a member. While its judgements are not legally binding, it investigates claims of rights violations and suggests remedies.

Release human rights activists, pay them compensation: UN to China

Russia President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone today. The Russian president expressed his deep <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-a-peace-gesture-we-are-releasing-captured-pilot-tomorrow-pm-imran-khan-200295">condolences over&nbsp;the Pulwama </a>terrorist attack. Putin also conveyed solidarity of the people of the Russian Federation with the people of India in the fight against terrorism.

PM Modi thanked President Putin for his steadfast support for India's efforts to protect its interests against cross-border terror attacks and renewed India's commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism. PM Modi told Putin that Russia was as a pillar of special and strategic partnership.

Both the leaders also agreed that the growing cooperation between the two countries will take their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership from strength to strength.

President Putin reiterated the invitation to PM Modi to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok later this year. PM welcomed the invitation and underscored the significance of growing economic cooperation, including in the Russian Far East.

Leading Bahraini human rights activist Nabil Rajab was rearrested on Monday by security forces in the Gulf island state

Russia President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Narendra Modi over phone today. The Russian president expressed his deep condolences over the Pulwama terrorist attack. Putin also conveyed solidarity of the people of the Russian Federation with the people of India in the fight against terrorism. PM Modi thanked President Putin for his steadfast support for India's efforts to protect its interests against cross-border terror attacks and renewed India's commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism. PM Modi told Putin that Russia was as a pillar of special and strategic partnership. Both the leaders also agreed that the growing cooperation between the two countries will take their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership from strength to strength. President Putin reiterated the invitation to PM Modi to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok later this year. PM welcomed the invitation and underscored the significance of growing economic cooperation, including in the Russian Far East.

Top human rights activist rearrested in Bahrain: family