The IDF legal division’s rollout of its probes into alleged war crimes in the military’s conduct of the Israel-Hamas War has been delayed again, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

IDF Military Advocate-General Maj.-Gen. Itay Offir would be issuing multiple major decisions regarding the war-crimes allegations within the coming weeks, the Post exclusively reported on June 18.


IDF delays release of report on human rights violations

The European Union has issued a strong warning to Pakistan over alleged human rights violations, cautioning that the country could lose its preferential GSP+ trade status if meaningful reforms are not implemented. The European Commission's latest assessment raises concerns over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on freedom of expression, and the use of anti-terrorism and blasphemy laws against journalists, dissidents and religious minorities. The report also states that many of Pakistan's reforms remain largely on paper and have not resulted in significant improvements. The EU has urged Islamabad to strengthen accountability, improve labour protections, reform controversial laws, and ensure greater protection for minorities before revised GSP+ rules come into effect in 2027.

EU warns Pakistan over human rights violations | Islamabad risks losing gsp+ trade benefits

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidvwKkhiDVPmtH" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>According to Axios, the Biden administration may announce sanctions against the IDF's Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank for the first time.</p>

<p>The IDF's Netzah Yehuda group has previously been at the heart of various controversies involving right-wing extremism and violence against Palestinians.</p>

<p>The battalion was relocated out of the West Bank in December 2022, however, Israel denied this was due to their conduct, and it has since operated mostly in the country's north. It has been deployed to the Gaza Strip as part of the ongoing conflict against Hamas.</p>

<p>According to sources, sanctions would prohibit the supply of US weaponry to the primarily ultra-Orthodox infantry unit, as well as block its men from training with US forces or participating in any activity funded by the US under the Leahy Laws.</p>

<h2><strong>Here's how Israeli officials and the prime minister reacted to the news:</strong></h2>

<p>"Sanctions must not be imposed on the Israel Defense Forces! In recent weeks, I have been working against the imposition of sanctions on Israeli citizens, including in my conversations with senior American government officials. At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low. The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves," PM Netanyahu wrote.</p>

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<p dir="rtl" lang="iw">גדוד נצח יהודה הוא חלק בלתי נפרד מצה״ל. הוא כפוף לחוק הצבאי, והוא פועל בהתאם למשפט הבינלאומי.<br />
למדינת ישראל מערכת משפט חזקה ועצמאית, שיודעת לבדוק ולבחון כל הפרת חוק או חריגה מפקודות צה״ל, וכך גם נעשה.<br />
יש לי הערכה רבה לידידינו האמריקאים, אבל הטלת סנקציות על היחידה היא תקדים מסוכן,…</p>
— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) <a href="https://twitter.com/gantzbe/status/1781782976340107356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Defence minister Benny Gantz also took to X to voice his opinion on the matter, and wrote, "The Netzah Yehuda Battalion is an integral part of the IDF. It is subject to military law, and it operates by international law."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuidvwKkhiDVPmtH" /><meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="http://wionews.com/world/benny-gantz-leads-in-preference-for-israeli-pm-netanyahu-not-far-behind-survey-713346" target="_blank">Benny Gantz leads in preference for Israeli PM, Netanyahu not far behind: Survey</a></strong></p>

<p>The State of Israel has a strong and independent judicial system, which knows how to investigate and examine any violation of the law or deviation from IDF orders, and so we will do. I have great respect for our American friends, but imposing sanctions on the unit is a dangerous precedent, and also sends the wrong message to our common enemies in a time of war. I will work so that this decision does not pass."</p>

<p>Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "A decision to impose American sanctions on the IDF while Israel is fighting for its existence is absolute madness. We warned that the Biden administration's sanctions against the settlers will continue for the IDF and the entire State of Israel. This is part of a planned move to force the State of Israel to agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state and abandon Israel's security."</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


According to Axios, the Biden administration may announce sanctions against the IDF's Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank for the first time.

According to Axios, the Biden administration may announce sanctions against the IDF's Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank for the first time. The IDF's Netzah Yehuda group has previously been at the heart of various controversies involving right-wing extremism and violence against Palestinians. The battalion was relocated out of the West Bank in December 2022, however, Israel denied this was due to their conduct, and it has since operated mostly in the country's north. It has been deployed to the Gaza Strip as part of the ongoing conflict against Hamas. According to sources, sanctions would prohibit the supply of US weaponry to the primarily ultra-Orthodox infantry unit, as well as block its men from training with US forces or participating in any activity funded by the US under the Leahy Laws. Here's how Israeli officials and the prime minister reacted to the news: "Sanctions must not be imposed on the Israel Defense Forces! In recent weeks, I have been working against the imposition of sanctions on Israeli citizens, including in my conversations with senior American government officials. At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low. The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves," PM Netanyahu wrote. גדוד נצח יהודה הוא חלק בלתי נפרד מצה״ל. הוא כפוף לחוק הצבאי, והוא פועל בהתאם למשפט הבינלאומי. למדינת ישראל מערכת משפט חזקה ועצמאית, שיודעת לבדוק ולבחון כל הפרת חוק או חריגה מפקודות צה״ל, וכך גם נעשה. יש לי הערכה רבה לידידינו האמריקאים, אבל הטלת סנקציות על היחידה היא תקדים מסוכן,… — בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) April 20, 2024 × Defence minister Benny Gantz also took to X to voice his opinion on the matter, and wrote, "The Netzah Yehuda Battalion is an integral part of the IDF. It is subject to military law, and it operates by international law." Also read: Benny Gantz leads in preference for Israeli PM, Netanyahu not far behind: Survey The State of Israel has a strong and independent judicial system, which knows how to investigate and examine any violation of the law or deviation from IDF orders, and so we will do. I have great respect for our American friends, but imposing sanctions on the unit is a dangerous precedent, and also sends the wrong message to our common enemies in a time of war. I will work so that this decision does not pass." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "A decision to impose American sanctions on the IDF while Israel is fighting for its existence is absolute madness. We warned that the Biden administration's sanctions against the settlers will continue for the IDF and the entire State of Israel. This is part of a planned move to force the State of Israel to agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state and abandon Israel's security."

US to sanction IDF unit for human rights violations against Palestinians, Netanyahu reacts

<p>The FIFA World Cup 2022 edition is set to get underway in Qatar on November 20. Before all the action begins on the field, a lot of controversies have emerged in the run-up to the showpiece event. From a lot being said and written about the human rights violation in Qatar to a Danish reporter very recently being threatened by Qatari officials, a lot of drama has unfolded with regard to the mega tournament.</p>

<p>Ahead of Qatar 2022, another update has made heads turn. Female fans, coming from other countries, have been advised to dress properly and not wear anything that is too revealing during the upcoming FIFA World Cup.&nbsp;If any female fan fails to comply with this,&nbsp;she can be in big trouble and land herself&nbsp;in jail. It is to be noted that the laws in Qatar ban women from wearing tight clothes and showing their body parts in public. It falls under&nbsp;a punishable offence.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-qatar-officials-threaten-reporter-on-live-tv-apologise-after-video-goes-viral-watch-534783">FIFA World Cup: Qatar officials threaten reporter on live TV, apologise after video goes viral - WATCH</a></strong></p>

<p>The FIFA website, on the other hand,&nbsp;stated&nbsp;that women can wear anything they like but will have to keep in mind the strict laws of Qatar.&nbsp;"People can generally wear their clothing of choice. Visitors are expected to cover their shoulders and knees when visiting public places like museums and other government buildings," the World Cup website states.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the&nbsp;Chief technology officer of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar Niyas Abdulrahiman pointed out, "We have high-resolution special cameras to zoom in on a particular seat and clearly see the spectator. It’s being recorded, so that will help us in any post-event investigation."</p>

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The FIFA World Cup 2022 edition is set to get underway in Qatar on November 20. Before all the action begins on the field, a lot of controversies have emerged in the run-up to the showpiece event.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 edition is set to get underway in Qatar on November 20. Before all the action begins on the field, a lot of controversies have emerged in the run-up to the showpiece event. From a lot being said and written about the human rights violation in Qatar to a Danish reporter very recently being threatened by Qatari officials, a lot of drama has unfolded with regard to the mega tournament. Ahead of Qatar 2022, another update has made heads turn. Female fans, coming from other countries, have been advised to dress properly and not wear anything that is too revealing during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. If any female fan fails to comply with this, she can be in big trouble and land herself in jail. It is to be noted that the laws in Qatar ban women from wearing tight clothes and showing their body parts in public. It falls under a punishable offence. Also read: FIFA World Cup: Qatar officials threaten reporter on live TV, apologise after video goes viral - WATCH The FIFA website, on the other hand, stated that women can wear anything they like but will have to keep in mind the strict laws of Qatar. "People can generally wear their clothing of choice. Visitors are expected to cover their shoulders and knees when visiting public places like museums and other government buildings," the World Cup website states. Meanwhile, the Chief technology officer of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar Niyas Abdulrahiman pointed out, "We have high-resolution special cameras to zoom in on a particular seat and clearly see the spectator. It’s being recorded, so that will help us in any post-event investigation." ×

Wait, what? Female fans in Qatar might find themselves in jail if not dressed properly during FIFA World Cup

Now in a move that can further worsen the already strained tasks between the United States and China the United States has now interestingly decided to impose human rights-related sanctions on China for its alleged atrocities in the Xinjiang province.

The U.S imposes human rights sanctions

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="7">A senior official sanctioned by the US, the UK, the EU, and Canada for his participation for alleged human rights violations in China's far western Xinjiang region has been promoted to the top post in Tibet.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="9">Wang Junzheng was promoted to Communist Party leader of the Tibet autonomous territory on Tuesday, according to Chinese official media.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="10">Wang Junzheng, 58, was the deputy secretary of the CPC committee of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="11">Wang's appointment to the Tibet post would be keenly watched by worldwide rights groups, as well as New Delhi, given the continuing border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="12">The incumbent Communist Party secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), 65-year-old Wu Yingjie, who took office in 2016, was not immediately apparent, but he has most certainly retired.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="13">Wang's elevation demonstrates Beijing's rejection of the West's reaction to its actions in Xinjiang, as well as its rising interest in the pool of officials who have been held up as examples of competence in places with significant ethnic minority populations.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="14">Wang will succeed Wu Yingjie in Tibet when he retires at the age of 65 in two months.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="15">Wang's elevation was among a slew of regional head appointments announced on Tuesday, as Beijing steps up preparations for the 20th party congress, a five-year power transfer, set to take place next fall.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="16"><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A senior official sanctioned by the US, the UK, the EU, and Canada for his participation for alleged human rights violations in China's far western Xinjiang region has been promoted to the top post in Tibet.

A senior official sanctioned by the US, the UK, the EU, and Canada for his participation for alleged human rights violations in China's far western Xinjiang region has been promoted to the top post in Tibet. Wang Junzheng was promoted to Communist Party leader of the Tibet autonomous territory on Tuesday, according to Chinese official media. Wang Junzheng, 58, was the deputy secretary of the CPC committee of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Wang's appointment to the Tibet post would be keenly watched by worldwide rights groups, as well as New Delhi, given the continuing border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The incumbent Communist Party secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), 65-year-old Wu Yingjie, who took office in 2016, was not immediately apparent, but he has most certainly retired. Wang's elevation demonstrates Beijing's rejection of the West's reaction to its actions in Xinjiang, as well as its rising interest in the pool of officials who have been held up as examples of competence in places with significant ethnic minority populations. Wang will succeed Wu Yingjie in Tibet when he retires at the age of 65 in two months. Wang's elevation was among a slew of regional head appointments announced on Tuesday, as Beijing steps up preparations for the 20th party congress, a five-year power transfer, set to take place next fall. (With inputs from agencies)

China: CPC official sanctioned for human rights violations to head Tibet's party unit

The conflict in Tigray is now spreading to neighbouring regions forcing thousands of people to flee. Eight organisations warn of a humanitarian crisis and accused the Ethiopian Govt of not allowing them to operate in Tigray. Clashes have been going on between govt forces and Tigray rebels. Horrific human rights violations have been reported at the battle zone.

Horrific human rights violations reported as clashes underway between Govt forces, Tigray rebels

Brands like Nike and H&M are finding out the cost of raising China's human rights violations. The brands are facing boycott calls from the Chinese press and citizens. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more about Beijing's campaign of manufactured outrage.

Gravitas: China targets Nike and H&M over ban on Xinjiang Cotton

<p>Countries like China, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba don't care about human rights. Then why, do they want a place on the United Nations Human Rights Council?</p>

<p>There are two possible reasons: They want to deflect attention from their own record, and block any criticism. And they want to weaken the council's ability to address any other global rights issues.</p>

<p>For instance:&nbsp; Burundi, considered one of the worst violators of human rights was a member of the rights council and served for three years from 2015 to 2018. In this period Burundi blocked all resolutions against itself and it voted against every country resolution that came its way.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/china-russia-and-pakistan-set-to-join-un-human-rights-council-334862" hreflang="en">China, Russia and Pakistan set to join UN human rights council</a></p>

<p>The United Nations Human Rights Council was created in 2006.</p>

<p>In the last 14 years, China has served as a board member multiple times. And each time, China has deflected all criticism that came its way. In 2017 China sponsored a resolution called "promoting development over human rights". It was a resolution that prioritised development over human rights.</p>

<p>In 2018, China moved another resolution called "promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights".</p>

<p>Through this resolution China wanted to stop the practice of "naming and shaming" countries for violations. Beijing wanted countries to adopt a "state-led peer review process". The resolution passed but only after significant edits were made to water down China's original text. Interestingly, a high number of countries abstained from voting on this resolution.</p>

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<p>In recent times, China has voted against resolutions on grave international crimes in countries like Syria, Yemen and Myanmar.</p>

<p><b>Is the UNHRC compromised?</b></p>

<p>The members of the UNHRC should represent its values, and believe in human rights.</p>

<p>The UNHRC in its present form is only copying its failed predecessor - The Commission for Human Rights. Countries with records of abuses like torture, extrajudicial killings, political imprisonment and disappearances were its members.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/around-40-nations-rebuke-chinas-human-rights-policies-in-xinjiang-tibet-333035" hreflang="en">Around 40 nations rebuke China's human rights policies in Xinjiang, Tibet</a></p>

<p>An editorial of The New York Times in 2006 had called this body "the shame of the United Nations" because it had China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as its members. The same countries look set to join the board of the UNHRC.</p>


Countries like China, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba don't care about human rights. Then why, do they want a place on the United Nations Human Rights Council?

Countries like China, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba don't care about human rights. Then why, do they want a place on the United Nations Human Rights Council? There are two possible reasons: They want to deflect attention from their own record, and block any criticism. And they want to weaken the council's ability to address any other global rights issues. For instance: Burundi, considered one of the worst violators of human rights was a member of the rights council and served for three years from 2015 to 2018. In this period Burundi blocked all resolutions against itself and it voted against every country resolution that came its way. Also read: China, Russia and Pakistan set to join UN human rights council The United Nations Human Rights Council was created in 2006. In the last 14 years, China has served as a board member multiple times. And each time, China has deflected all criticism that came its way. In 2017 China sponsored a resolution called "promoting development over human rights". It was a resolution that prioritised development over human rights. In 2018, China moved another resolution called "promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights". Through this resolution China wanted to stop the practice of "naming and shaming" countries for violations. Beijing wanted countries to adopt a "state-led peer review process". The resolution passed but only after significant edits were made to water down China's original text. Interestingly, a high number of countries abstained from voting on this resolution. × In recent times, China has voted against resolutions on grave international crimes in countries like Syria, Yemen and Myanmar. Is the UNHRC compromised? The members of the UNHRC should represent its values, and believe in human rights. The UNHRC in its present form is only copying its failed predecessor - The Commission for Human Rights. Countries with records of abuses like torture, extrajudicial killings, political imprisonment and disappearances were its members. Also read: Around 40 nations rebuke China's human rights policies in Xinjiang, Tibet An editorial of The New York Times in 2006 had called this body "the shame of the United Nations" because it had China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as its members. The same countries look set to join the board of the UNHRC.

Why do chronic violators of human rights like China & Pak want a seat at the UNHRC?

<p>The US Commerce Department on Monday announced it has blacklisted 11 Chinese businesses for involvement in human rights violations against the Uighur minority, cutting off the firms' access to American goods.</p>

<p>Washington, together with other western nations and rights groups, has accused Beijing of interning at least a million Muslims from the Uighur ethnic group in the western Xinjiang region.</p>

<p>In a statement, the Commerce Department said the 11 sanctioned companies are "implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of the People's Republic of China's campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor, involuntary collection of biometric data, and genetic analyses."</p>

<p>Commerce sanctioned nine companies -- Changji Esquel Textile, Hefei Bitland Information Technology, Hefei Meiling, Hetian Haolin Hair Accessories, Hetian Taida Apparel, KTK Group, Nanjing Synergy Textiles, Nanchang O-Film Tech and Tanyuan Technology -- for involvement in forced labor.</p>

<p>Xinjiang Silk Road and Beijing Liuhe were both sanctioned for "conducting genetic analyses used to further the repression" of Uighurs, Commerce said.</p>

<p>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month called China's treatment of Uighurs "the stain of the century."</p>

<p>But Beijing denies an wrongdoing, saying Uighurs are attending vocational training centers.</p>


The US Commerce Department on Monday announced it has blacklisted 11 Chinese businesses for involvement in human rights violations against the Uighur minority, cutting off the firms' access to American goods.

The US Commerce Department on Monday announced it has blacklisted 11 Chinese businesses for involvement in human rights violations against the Uighur minority, cutting off the firms' access to American goods. Washington, together with other western nations and rights groups, has accused Beijing of interning at least a million Muslims from the Uighur ethnic group in the western Xinjiang region. In a statement, the Commerce Department said the 11 sanctioned companies are "implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the implementation of the People's Republic of China's campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor, involuntary collection of biometric data, and genetic analyses." Commerce sanctioned nine companies -- Changji Esquel Textile, Hefei Bitland Information Technology, Hefei Meiling, Hetian Haolin Hair Accessories, Hetian Taida Apparel, KTK Group, Nanjing Synergy Textiles, Nanchang O-Film Tech and Tanyuan Technology -- for involvement in forced labor. Xinjiang Silk Road and Beijing Liuhe were both sanctioned for "conducting genetic analyses used to further the repression" of Uighurs, Commerce said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month called China's treatment of Uighurs "the stain of the century." But Beijing denies an wrongdoing, saying Uighurs are attending vocational training centers.

US blacklists 11 Chinese firms for human rights violations against Uighurs

<p>Britain will on Monday name the first individuals to be sanctioned under a new regime targeting people who violate human rights, with Russians and Saudis reportedly on the list.<br />
<br />
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will set out the new sanctions powers in parliament and reveal a list of individuals who will immediately be subject to UK asset and visa bans.<br />
<br />
"From today, the UK will have new powers to stop those involved in serious human rights abuses and violations from entering the UK, channelling money through our banks and profiting from our economy," Raab said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="/technology/uk-to-end-use-of-huawei-technology-in-its-5g-network-report-310811" hreflang="en">UK to end use of Huawei technology in its 5G network: Report</a><br />
<br />
"This is a clear example of how the UK will help to lead the world in standing up for human rights.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"We will not let those who seek to inflict pain and destroy the lives of innocent victims benefit from what the UK has to offer."<br />
<br />
The Foreign Office declined to say in advance who would be on the list.<br />
<br />
But the Financial Times said it is expected to include people believed by Britain to be implicated in the deaths of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.<br />
<br />
Magnitsky was arrested after detailing an alleged large-scale tax fraud by Russian officials. He died in jail in 2009.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="/world/drunk-people-cant-socially-distance-uk-police-conclude-310878" hreflang="en">Drunk people can't socially distance, UK police conclude</a><br />
<br />
Khashoggi was a Saudi insider-turned-critic who was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Five people were sentenced to death for his killing in Saudi Arabia last year, but 20 more, including two former aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,&nbsp;are currently on trial in Turkey.<br />
<br />
The new sanctions regime, set up under a 2018 British law, will also target figures from North Korea but not China, the FT and the BBC reported.<br />
<br />
The Foreign Office said: "Future targets of the regime may include those who commit unlawful killings perpetrated against journalists and media workers, or activity motivated on the grounds of religion or belief."<br />
<br />
Overall, the regime could apply to those who "facilitate, incite, promote, or support these violations/abuses, as well as those who financially profit from human rights violations and abuses".</p>


Britain will on Monday name the first individuals to be sanctioned under a new regime targeting people who violate human rights, with Russians and Saudis reportedly on the list.

Britain will on Monday name the first individuals to be sanctioned under a new regime targeting people who violate human rights, with Russians and Saudis reportedly on the list. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will set out the new sanctions powers in parliament and reveal a list of individuals who will immediately be subject to UK asset and visa bans. "From today, the UK will have new powers to stop those involved in serious human rights abuses and violations from entering the UK, channelling money through our banks and profiting from our economy," Raab said in a statement. Also read: UK to end use of Huawei technology in its 5G network: Report "This is a clear example of how the UK will help to lead the world in standing up for human rights. "We will not let those who seek to inflict pain and destroy the lives of innocent victims benefit from what the UK has to offer." The Foreign Office declined to say in advance who would be on the list. But the Financial Times said it is expected to include people believed by Britain to be implicated in the deaths of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Magnitsky was arrested after detailing an alleged large-scale tax fraud by Russian officials. He died in jail in 2009. Also read: Drunk people can't socially distance, UK police conclude Khashoggi was a Saudi insider-turned-critic who was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Five people were sentenced to death for his killing in Saudi Arabia last year, but 20 more, including two former aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are currently on trial in Turkey. The new sanctions regime, set up under a 2018 British law, will also target figures from North Korea but not China, the FT and the BBC reported. The Foreign Office said: "Future targets of the regime may include those who commit unlawful killings perpetrated against journalists and media workers, or activity motivated on the grounds of religion or belief." Overall, the regime could apply to those who "facilitate, incite, promote, or support these violations/abuses, as well as those who financially profit from human rights violations and abuses".

UK to unveil sanctions against human rights violators

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-sends-more-police-to-papua-curbs-internet-speed-amid-tension-244505">Indonesia's </a>military shot dead four students in the country's restive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-sends-more-police-to-papua-curbs-internet-speed-amid-tension-244505">Papua </a>region during 2014 protests and carried out "gross human rights violations", a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday.</p>

<p>Komnas HAM issued its findings five years after the high-school students were gunned down in Paniai, a central area of insurgency-wracked Papua province, which shares a border with independent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-sends-more-police-to-papua-curbs-internet-speed-amid-tension-244505">Papua New Guinea</a>.</p>

<p>"This incident constitutes crimes against humanity," the commission's chief investigator Muhammad Choirul Anam told AFP in a statement Monday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violent-protest-erupts-in-capital-of-indonesias-papua-246614">Violent protest erupts in capital of Indonesia's Papua</a></strong></p>

<p>The military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>

<p>Komnas HAM said it had forwarded its dossier on the unrest to the country's attorney general for possible prosecution.</p>

<p>The probe was hampered by long delays due to attempts by unnamed individuals to hide evidence, the human rights commission said.</p>

<p>Rank-and-file soldiers and their superiors should shoulder the blame for the deaths of the students, aged 17 and 18, as well as "torturing" another 21 demonstrating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-restores-internet-access-in-parts-of-restive-papua-region-247695">Papuans</a>, it said, without elaborating.</p>

<p>The protests were sparked by the alleged beatings of other Papuan youths by the army.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-restores-internet-access-in-parts-of-restive-papua-region-247695">Indonesia restores internet access in parts of restive Papua region</a></strong></p>

<p>Security forces eventually opened fire on a crowd after demonstrators threw stones at a military office.</p>

<p>The commission interviewed two dozen witnesses, analysed documents and visited the scene to determine whether the military was involved in the deaths.</p>

<p>So far no-one has been charged.</p>

<p>Indonesia's military has been accused of committing atrocities against Papuan civilians during a decades-long rebel movement aimed at gaining independence for the province.</p>

<p>The Southeast Asian nation took control of mineral-rich <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-restores-internet-access-in-parts-of-restive-papua-region-247695">Papua </a>in the 1960s following a vote to stay within the archipelago that was widely viewed as rigged.</p>

<p>Papua has seen several spasms of deadly violence in recent months, including unrest partly linked to a fresh push for independence and ethnic tensions.</p>

<p>Ethnically Melanesian, most Papuans are Christians who have few cultural links to Muslim-majority Indonesia.</p>


Indonesia's military shot dead four students in the country's restive Papua region during 2014 protests and carried out "gross human rights violations", a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday.

Indonesia's military shot dead four students in the country's restive Papua region during 2014 protests and carried out "gross human rights violations", a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday. Komnas HAM issued its findings five years after the high-school students were gunned down in Paniai, a central area of insurgency-wracked Papua province, which shares a border with independent Papua New Guinea. "This incident constitutes crimes against humanity," the commission's chief investigator Muhammad Choirul Anam told AFP in a statement Monday. Also read: Violent protest erupts in capital of Indonesia's Papua The military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Komnas HAM said it had forwarded its dossier on the unrest to the country's attorney general for possible prosecution. The probe was hampered by long delays due to attempts by unnamed individuals to hide evidence, the human rights commission said. Rank-and-file soldiers and their superiors should shoulder the blame for the deaths of the students, aged 17 and 18, as well as "torturing" another 21 demonstrating Papuans, it said, without elaborating. The protests were sparked by the alleged beatings of other Papuan youths by the army. Also read: Indonesia restores internet access in parts of restive Papua region Security forces eventually opened fire on a crowd after demonstrators threw stones at a military office. The commission interviewed two dozen witnesses, analysed documents and visited the scene to determine whether the military was involved in the deaths. So far no-one has been charged. Indonesia's military has been accused of committing atrocities against Papuan civilians during a decades-long rebel movement aimed at gaining independence for the province. The Southeast Asian nation took control of mineral-rich Papua in the 1960s following a vote to stay within the archipelago that was widely viewed as rigged. Papua has seen several spasms of deadly violence in recent months, including unrest partly linked to a fresh push for independence and ethnic tensions. Ethnically Melanesian, most Papuans are Christians who have few cultural links to Muslim-majority Indonesia.

Indonesia military to blame for 2014 Papua killings: rights commission

The United States barred Sri Lankan Army Chief, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva from entering the country on charges of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings during the country's civil war in 2009.

U.S. puts travel ban on Sri Lankan Lt. Gen. Silva over accusations of human rights violations

<p>Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-erdogan-unannounced-at-nato-summit-266252">Tayyip Erdogan</a> accused the Nobel academy on Tuesday of rewarding human rights violations by awarding the prize for literature to Peter Handke, who has been criticised for backing late Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic.</p>

<p>Turkey has said it is joining Albania and Kosovo in boycotting the Nobel awards ceremony to protest the academy's choice of Austrian Handke for the prize.</p>

<p>"Giving the Nobel Literature Prize to a racist, who denies the genocide in Bosnia and defends war criminals, on December 10, Human Rights Day, will have no meaning other than the rewarding of human rights violations," Erdogan said.</p>

<p>The academy's choice has been widely criticised.</p>

<p>Handke, now 77, expressed support for Milosevic and spoke at the funeral of the former Serbian president in 2006 after he died in detention during his trial at the UN&nbsp;war crimes tribunal.</p>

<p>Milosevic was charged with war crimes in connection with atrocities and ethnic cleansing committed by Serb forces in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo during the 1990s wars triggered by the disintegration of federal Yugoslavia.</p>

<p>On Friday, Handke dismissed questions about his support for Milosevic. On Tuesday, he will formally be handed the 9 million crown ($935,000) award and later attend the traditional Nobel banquet.</p>

<p>Handke is the author of books such as "The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick" and "Slow Homecoming". <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-to-summon-turkish-envoy-over-erdogans-insults-265301">He also co-wrote the script</a> of the critically acclaimed 1987 film "Wings of Desire".</p>


Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the Nobel academy on Tuesday of rewarding human rights violations by awarding the prize for literature to Peter Handke, who has been criticised for backing late Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the Nobel academy on Tuesday of rewarding human rights violations by awarding the prize for literature to Peter Handke, who has been criticised for backing late Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. Turkey has said it is joining Albania and Kosovo in boycotting the Nobel awards ceremony to protest the academy's choice of Austrian Handke for the prize. "Giving the Nobel Literature Prize to a racist, who denies the genocide in Bosnia and defends war criminals, on December 10, Human Rights Day, will have no meaning other than the rewarding of human rights violations," Erdogan said. The academy's choice has been widely criticised. Handke, now 77, expressed support for Milosevic and spoke at the funeral of the former Serbian president in 2006 after he died in detention during his trial at the UN war crimes tribunal. Milosevic was charged with war crimes in connection with atrocities and ethnic cleansing committed by Serb forces in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo during the 1990s wars triggered by the disintegration of federal Yugoslavia. On Friday, Handke dismissed questions about his support for Milosevic. On Tuesday, he will formally be handed the 9 million crown ($935,000) award and later attend the traditional Nobel banquet. Handke is the author of books such as "The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick" and "Slow Homecoming". He also co-wrote the script of the critically acclaimed 1987 film "Wings of Desire".

Nobel academy rewarding human rights violations: Turkey's Erdogan

Pakistan said it has denied India's request to allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's VVIP flight to use its airspace for his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, citing the alleged human rights violations in J&K

Pakistan Denies use of Airspace to India

<p>A United States-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi, has held important meetings in Washington DC&nbsp;with the Congressmen and members of powerful House committees over the latest situation in Pakistan and South Asia region.</p>

<p>Nadeem Nusrat, Chairman of the Voice of Karachi, met influential US Congressmen and members of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ted Yoho and Tom Garrett, and held another important meeting with House Majority leader Tim McCarthy in Washington DC&nbsp;Representative McCarthy is the front-runner to become the Chairman of the House following the current speaker's decision to not seek the reelection this year.</p>

<p>Nusrat apprised the US lawmakers of the victimisation and persecution of Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns, Gilgitis and Hazaras by the state of Pakistan. He briefed them about the role of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in providing safe havens to terror outfits in the port city of Karachi. He said that the ISI was fueling extremism and terrorism as a tool to advance its own agenda in the region, which was destabilising South Asia.</p>

<p>He also told the US legislators that Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities were looking towards the United States and the international community to play their role in stopping state atrocities being committed by the Pakistani security forces, ISI in particular. He emphasised that the world needed to act to stop human rights abuses in Karachi, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan in order to save innocent human lives.</p>

<p>In these meetings, Nusrat extended his support to the US administration in its efforts to curb terrorism and bring peace, harmony, and stability in South Asia.</p>

<p>The Voice of Karachi has been working to raise global awareness about injustices and human rights violations that Urdu-speaking Mohajirs and other ethnic and religious minorities have been facing in Pakistan. This group has also been running the Free Karachi campaign in the US since January 15 this year.</p>

<p>More than 22,000 Mohajirs have been brutally killed in military actions in Karachi since 1992. Enforced disappearances are a routine urban Sindh where hundreds of MQM workers and supporters are missing in the latest phase of security operation launched in 2013.</p>


A United States-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi, has held important meetings in Washington DC with the Congressmen and members of powerful House committees over the latest situation in Pakistan and South Asia region

A United States-based advocacy group, Voice of Karachi, has held important meetings in Washington DC with the Congressmen and members of powerful House committees over the latest situation in Pakistan and South Asia region. Nadeem Nusrat, Chairman of the Voice of Karachi, met influential US Congressmen and members of House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ted Yoho and Tom Garrett, and held another important meeting with House Majority leader Tim McCarthy in Washington DC Representative McCarthy is the front-runner to become the Chairman of the House following the current speaker's decision to not seek the reelection this year. Nusrat apprised the US lawmakers of the victimisation and persecution of Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns, Gilgitis and Hazaras by the state of Pakistan. He briefed them about the role of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in providing safe havens to terror outfits in the port city of Karachi. He said that the ISI was fueling extremism and terrorism as a tool to advance its own agenda in the region, which was destabilising South Asia. He also told the US legislators that Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities were looking towards the United States and the international community to play their role in stopping state atrocities being committed by the Pakistani security forces, ISI in particular. He emphasised that the world needed to act to stop human rights abuses in Karachi, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Gilgit Baltistan in order to save innocent human lives. In these meetings, Nusrat extended his support to the US administration in its efforts to curb terrorism and bring peace, harmony, and stability in South Asia. The Voice of Karachi has been working to raise global awareness about injustices and human rights violations that Urdu-speaking Mohajirs and other ethnic and religious minorities have been facing in Pakistan. This group has also been running the Free Karachi campaign in the US since January 15 this year. More than 22,000 Mohajirs have been brutally killed in military actions in Karachi since 1992. Enforced disappearances are a routine urban Sindh where hundreds of MQM workers and supporters are missing in the latest phase of security operation launched in 2013.

Mohajir activists apprise US lawmakers of human rights violations in Pakistan

<p>The members of the Baloch Republican Party (BPR) have raised the issue of human rights violations carried out by Pakistan in Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).</p>

<p>&quot;The precious natural resources of Balochistan are being looted and taken away by the Pakistani state while the Baloch people are forced to live in Stone Age like conditions,&quot; said representative of the Baloch Republican Party to the UNHRC Abdul Nawaz Bugti.</p>

<p>&quot;Whenever the Baloch people demanded their rights from the Pakistani state, the response has always been military operations and massacre by the army,&quot; he added, &quot;300 thousand Baloch have been displaced and 27 thousands have become the victim of enforced disappearances.&quot;</p>

<p>He noted that &quot;torture and custodial killings of Baloch activists are common practice. Even women and children are not spared.&quot;</p>

<p>Another activist of BPR threw light on the plight of women in Balochistan.</p>

<p>&quot;While the world talks about gender equality and equal rights for women, the women in Balochistan are facing state terrorism, in addition to global problems,&quot; activist, BPR Muhammad Jawad.</p>

<p>&quot;They are most affected by the military operations, enforced disappearances of their family members,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Jawad went on to say that &quot;there is hardly women in Balochistan who has not lost his husband, brother, father or son as a result of notorious kill and dump policy of Pakistan Army.&quot;</p>


The members of the Baloch Republican Party (BPR) have raised the issue of human rights violations carried out by Pakistan in Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

The members of the Baloch Republican Party (BPR) have raised the issue of human rights violations carried out by Pakistan in Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). "The precious natural resources of Balochistan are being looted and taken away by the Pakistani state while the Baloch people are forced to live in Stone Age like conditions," said representative of the Baloch Republican Party to the UNHRC Abdul Nawaz Bugti. "Whenever the Baloch people demanded their rights from the Pakistani state, the response has always been military operations and massacre by the army," he added, "300 thousand Baloch have been displaced and 27 thousands have become the victim of enforced disappearances." He noted that "torture and custodial killings of Baloch activists are common practice. Even women and children are not spared." Another activist of BPR threw light on the plight of women in Balochistan. "While the world talks about gender equality and equal rights for women, the women in Balochistan are facing state terrorism, in addition to global problems," activist, BPR Muhammad Jawad. "They are most affected by the military operations, enforced disappearances of their family members," he added. Jawad went on to say that "there is hardly women in Balochistan who has not lost his husband, brother, father or son as a result of notorious kill and dump policy of Pakistan Army."

Baloch activists raise voice against atrocities by Pakistan at UNHRC

<p>The US military funded Afghan police and security units even though American officials knew members were implicated in gross human rights violations, according to a watchdog report released Tuesday.</p>

<p>The previously secret report, first provided to Congress in June but now declassified, lays bare the cultural rifts that can exist when America works with local partners.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the report by the office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the Pentagon repeatedly granted exemptions from US rules that bar assistance to a foreign nation&#39;s security forces if credible information exists of rights violations.</p>

<p>For instance, the Pentagon approved waivers to these so-called Leahy Laws to continue funding for 12 Afghan security force units implicated in 14 gross human rights violations in 2013.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The same workaround, known as the &quot;notwithstanding clause,&quot; was used for eight of nine additional units implicated in 2014.</p>

<p>Although the Defense Department and State Department have &quot;confirmed that some units of the Afghan security forces have committed gross violations of human rights, the secretary of defense has used the notwithstanding clause&quot; to some implicated units, the report states.</p>

<p>The exemptions were made under then-secretaries Chuck Hagel and Ash Carter.</p>

<p>In a response to the report, the Pentagon said the document &quot;does not reflect an understanding of the challenges faced by US forces in Afghanistan in developing and sustaining the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.&quot;</p>

<p>Jedidiah Royal, a Pentagon official, wrote that removing the &quot;not withstanding clause&quot; would remove the defense secretary&#39;s ability to balance the Leahy Laws with &quot;national security objectives and the protection of US forces.&quot;</p>

<p>The report states that as of June 12, 2016 officials were tracking 75 reported gross violation of human rights incidents, including seven involving child sexual assault.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afghanistan has an entrenched custom of what is known as &quot;bacha bazi&quot; -- or the sexual abuse of boys -- and critics have long accused the United States of not doing enough to counter it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In one instance outlined in the report, a US soldier heard Afghan men screaming &quot;in what sounded like sex&quot; but did not take action to report it, SIGAR states.</p>

<p>&quot;The full extent of child sexual assault committed by Afghan security forces may never be known,&quot; the report says.</p>

<p>In addition to the child sex assault incidents, officials were also tracking extrajudicial killings and the torture of detainees.</p>

<p>Members of Congress requested the review in 2015 after The New York Times reported on &quot;rampant&quot; child sex abuse in the Afghan security services and said that US personnel had been told not to intervene.</p>


The previously secret report, first provided to Congress in June but now declassified, lays bare the cultural rifts that can exist when America works with local partners

The US military funded Afghan police and security units even though American officials knew members were implicated in gross human rights violations, according to a watchdog report released Tuesday. The previously secret report, first provided to Congress in June but now declassified, lays bare the cultural rifts that can exist when America works with local partners. According to the report by the office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the Pentagon repeatedly granted exemptions from US rules that bar assistance to a foreign nation's security forces if credible information exists of rights violations. For instance, the Pentagon approved waivers to these so-called Leahy Laws to continue funding for 12 Afghan security force units implicated in 14 gross human rights violations in 2013. The same workaround, known as the "notwithstanding clause," was used for eight of nine additional units implicated in 2014. Although the Defense Department and State Department have "confirmed that some units of the Afghan security forces have committed gross violations of human rights, the secretary of defense has used the notwithstanding clause" to some implicated units, the report states. The exemptions were made under then-secretaries Chuck Hagel and Ash Carter. In a response to the report, the Pentagon said the document "does not reflect an understanding of the challenges faced by US forces in Afghanistan in developing and sustaining the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces." Jedidiah Royal, a Pentagon official, wrote that removing the "not withstanding clause" would remove the defense secretary's ability to balance the Leahy Laws with "national security objectives and the protection of US forces." The report states that as of June 12, 2016 officials were tracking 75 reported gross violation of human rights incidents, including seven involving child sexual assault. Afghanistan has an entrenched custom of what is known as "bacha bazi" -- or the sexual abuse of boys -- and critics have long accused the United States of not doing enough to counter it. In one instance outlined in the report, a US soldier heard Afghan men screaming "in what sounded like sex" but did not take action to report it, SIGAR states. "The full extent of child sexual assault committed by Afghan security forces may never be known," the report says. In addition to the child sex assault incidents, officials were also tracking extrajudicial killings and the torture of detainees. Members of Congress requested the review in 2015 after The New York Times reported on "rampant" child sex abuse in the Afghan security services and said that US personnel had been told not to intervene.

Pentagon funded Afghan units accused of rights abuses: Report

<p>United Nations Security Council ministers will meet on December 15 to discuss North Korea&#39;s nuclear and missiles programs and the body will also meet separately this month to discuss human rights abuses in the North Asian country, an annual meeting that its ally China has tried to prevent for the past three years.</p>

<p>Japan&#39;s UN&nbsp;Ambassador Koro Bessho, president of the 15-member council for December, said several ministers were confirmed to attend the December 15 meeting. He also said the meeting on human rights in North Korea could be held on December 11.</p>

<p>China has unsuccessfully tried to stop three previous human rights meetings by calling a procedural vote. A minimum of nine votes are needed to win such a vote and China, Russia, the United States, Britain and France cannot wield their vetoes.</p>

<p>This year&#39;s meeting has the backing of nine members - the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Sweden, Ukraine and Uruguay.</p>

<p>Last year, the United States angered North Korea by blacklisting its leader Kim Jong Un for human rights abuses.</p>

<p>A landmark 2014 UN&nbsp;report on North Korean human rights concluded that North Korean security chiefs - and possibly Kim himself - should face justice for overseeing a state-controlled system of Nazi-style atrocities.</p>

<p>Michael Kirby, chairman of the UN&nbsp;Commission of Inquiry that drew up the report, said at the time that the crimes the team had catalogued were reminiscent of those committed by the Nazis during World War Two. &quot;Some of them are strikingly similar,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>North Korea has repeatedly rejected accusations of human rights abuses and blames sanctions for a dire humanitarian situation. Pyongyang has been under UN&nbsp;sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missiles and nuclear programs.</p>

<p>&quot;Despite persistent sanctions and pressure by the US&nbsp;and other hostile forces, my government concentrates all its efforts on improving people&#39;s livelihood and providing them with a better future,&quot; the North Korean Permanent Mission to the United Nations said in a statement on November 14.</p>


The body will also meet separately this month to discuss human rights abuses in the North Asian country, an annual meeting that its ally China has tried to prevent for the past three years

United Nations Security Council ministers will meet on December 15 to discuss North Korea's nuclear and missiles programs and the body will also meet separately this month to discuss human rights abuses in the North Asian country, an annual meeting that its ally China has tried to prevent for the past three years. Japan's UN Ambassador Koro Bessho, president of the 15-member council for December, said several ministers were confirmed to attend the December 15 meeting. He also said the meeting on human rights in North Korea could be held on December 11. China has unsuccessfully tried to stop three previous human rights meetings by calling a procedural vote. A minimum of nine votes are needed to win such a vote and China, Russia, the United States, Britain and France cannot wield their vetoes. This year's meeting has the backing of nine members - the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Sweden, Ukraine and Uruguay. Last year, the United States angered North Korea by blacklisting its leader Kim Jong Un for human rights abuses. A landmark 2014 UN report on North Korean human rights concluded that North Korean security chiefs - and possibly Kim himself - should face justice for overseeing a state-controlled system of Nazi-style atrocities. Michael Kirby, chairman of the UN Commission of Inquiry that drew up the report, said at the time that the crimes the team had catalogued were reminiscent of those committed by the Nazis during World War Two. "Some of them are strikingly similar," he said. North Korea has repeatedly rejected accusations of human rights abuses and blames sanctions for a dire humanitarian situation. Pyongyang has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missiles and nuclear programs. "Despite persistent sanctions and pressure by the US and other hostile forces, my government concentrates all its efforts on improving people's livelihood and providing them with a better future," the North Korean Permanent Mission to the United Nations said in a statement on November 14.

UN council to meet on North Korea rights abuses, nuclear programme in December

<p>&ldquo;This is not just a diplomatic briefing, but in some ways, a friendly appeal to all those who wish Myanmar well,&rdquo; said Myanmar&rsquo;s State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in her characteristically sombre tone, at the end of her public address on 19 September.</p>

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<h5>Suu Kyi categorically avoided touching upon specific allegations and counter-allegations with regard to the ground situation in northern Rakhine.</h5>
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<p>The speech came at a time when the Nobel Peace laureate finds herself in a thick swamp over her passivity on the alleged use of disproportionate and extrajudicial force by state security forces against the stateless community of Rohingya Muslims.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Damage Control</strong></p>

<p>The State Counsellor&rsquo;s speech, delivered in English for international consumption, came in lieu of her absence at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly held on the same date. In words that were heavily weighed, she offered a fairly broad and ostensibly neutral narrative aimed at damage-control.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Much unlike how the Tatmadaw (military) would have addressed criticism from the outside, the Lady&rsquo;s tone was one of conciliation rather than abrasive dismissal. She was fully aware of the importance of the global community of active and passive stakeholders that she was addressing in consolidating Myanmar&rsquo;s image as a progressive democracy. This was a target audience that the Lady does not wish to lose anytime soon.</p>

<p>However, the speech has been met with damning criticism from certain quarters of the international community. &ldquo;Too little, too late&rdquo;, &ldquo;disappointing&rdquo;, &ldquo;shameful&rdquo;, &quot;little more than a mix of untruths and victim blaming&quot; are some of the phrases that were employed to describe it. As she herself conceded in an interview with ANI next day, Suu Kyi stuck to Naypyidaw&rsquo;s standard narrative on the Rakhine/Rohingya issue, the crux of which is that the situation is complex, warrants the time to resolve, and is being misrepresented in the international media.</p>

<p>Let&#39;s take a look at some of the key themes in her cautiously-framed narrative, and the veracity of the claims made under them.</p>

<p><strong>Rule of Law and Human Rights Violations</strong></p>

<p>Suu Kyi said that her government was committed to the rule of law and condemned all forms of human rights violations and unlawful violence. She said that the security forces were under instructions to adhere to a strict code of conduct and exercise maximum restraint insofar as their operations in northern Rakhine are concerned.</p>

<p>However, these statements carry little value without corresponding evidence from the ground which is impossible owing to the security lockdown imposed in the core conflict zone.</p>

<p>The closest to any &lsquo;evidence&rsquo; that we have at the moment are the countless eyewitness accounts of Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh, which paint an entirely different picture. This is further backed up by satellite images released recently showing entire villages razed to the ground. The government, so far, has not furnished any solid material counter-evidence to thwart this accusatory narrative.</p>

<p>Further, &lsquo;rule of law&rsquo; is always a non-starter when serious allegations of human rights abuses by state forces are concerned. In fact, on many occasions, the law is used as a shield of legitimacy to carry out a draconian action. Such a broad mandate often leads to excessive use of force and overkill when combatants are diffused within a bigger non-combatant civilian population, like in this case. The situation is somewhat similar to India&rsquo;s use of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in insurgent areas.</p>

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<h5>Temporary resettlement in camps and aid provision, catered only to the non-Muslim population, including ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, sub-ethnic groups (like Mru), and Hindus. In fact, 4000 of them have already returned to their homes by now - an indication of effective but discriminatory crisis resettlement.&nbsp;</h5>
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<p><strong>The Situation on the Ground</strong></p>

<p>Suu Kyi categorically avoided touching upon specific allegations and counter-allegations with regard to the ground situation in northern Rakhine. She, however, stated that 50 per cent of the Rohingya villages is intact. Even if we take this at face value without triangulating it with material evidence (which remains obscure for now), the obvious question that pops up is: what happened to the other 50 per cent? Who burnt them?&nbsp;</p>

<p>She also stated that the government had launched relief and resettlement programmes on 27 August, two days after the attack. However, almost all media reports tell us that these programmes, involving temporary resettlement in camps and aid provision, catered only to the non-Muslim population, including ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, sub-ethnic groups (like Mru), and Hindus. In fact, 4000 of them have already returned to their homes by now - an indication of effective but discriminatory crisis resettlement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh</strong></p>

<p>Suu Kyi&rsquo;s comments on the continuing mass exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh were met with sharp criticism and apprehension by international observers. She said that &lsquo;most&rsquo; of the Muslims had not fled, and called upon the international community to visit northern Rakhine and speak to these Rohingyas who chose to stay back. She also stated that the government wants to find out why the exodus was happening and that it wants to talk to those who had fled.</p>

<p>These are, at best, tactical comments aimed at deflection. Fact remains that 4 lakh Rohingyas have already crossed the perilous border, at least according to UN agencies operating in the area. Considering that around 10 lakh Rohingyas live in northern Rakhine, the displaced indeed accounts for just a part of the entire Muslim population. But, 4 lakh is not a small figure in itself and neither is the proportion of displaced so paltry that it ought to be dismissed.</p>

<p>Her cautiously minced statement does not issue any clear invitation to talk to the displaced - something that it believes is reserved for the state authorities alone.</p>

<p>Observers have also accused her of sounding ignorant for wondering what the reasons for the exodus could be. While she might have been fed inaccurate information about the ground reality in northern Rakhine, this seems to be another strategically-framed narrative like the rest. In asking this question, Suu Kyi implicitly absolved the military of responsibility for the ongoing displacement and shifted the blame to elements beyond the control of her government. The idea that she wants to project is that if the refugee exodus was indeed because of the state&rsquo;s conduct, then she would certainly know the reason.</p>

<p>One of the most crucial elements under this theme that Suu Kyi talked about was her government&rsquo;s willingness to engage with the government of Bangladesh to resolve the refugee crisis. She stated that Myanmar is willing to begin the National Verification Process (NVP) - a policy to ascertain the citizenship of non-citizen Rakhine residents, Rohingyas included - and repatriate refugees in Bangladesh in adherence to the principles agreed upon by the two countries in 1993 under UN supervision.</p>

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<p>This is a welcome move that addresses the root of the problem i.e. citizenship rights for Rohingyas. However, while the NVP has been termed as a nominal policy to partially rehabilitate roving refugees in Rakhine (without giving them full citizenship status), the 1993 guidelines earlier came under scrutiny for violating international law by repatriating refugees in Bangladesh against their own wishes. The futility of the NVP is reaffirmed by the fact that only 4000 of the 10 lakh Rohingyas have been accepted as citizens so far, with rest being given &ldquo;green cards&rdquo; (temporary resident status).&nbsp;</p>

<p>For now, the exact provisions of both remain, at best, dubious. Further, Suu Kyi said that all those who are legitimately accepted as &lsquo;refugees&rsquo; (in Myanmar) would receive full state entitlements, including security and access to humanitarian aid. What would happen to the rest remains unclear as ever?</p>

<p><strong>An Exercise in Vain?</strong></p>

<p>Clearly, the State Counsellor&rsquo;s speech was fraught with grave inconsistencies, those that third-party observers are ready to pounce on and expose. Thus, this exercise in damage control certainly falls short of its prime objective of placating international observers concerned about the situation in northern Rakhine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the overall tone of the narrative was not of denial, which is a refreshing break from past official narratives. It was, nonetheless, ridden with passive omissions. Truth is that the Lady does not enjoy full autonomy when it comes to handling the ground situation in the affected conflict zone. The Tatmadaw is the key decision-making authority in this regard; and, thanks to the civilian government&rsquo;s delicate relationship with the ever-powerful army, Suu Kyi remains tied to the ground for now.</p>


Aung Suu Kyi's attempt at damage control certainly falls short of its prime objective of placating international observers concerned about the Rohingya situation.

“This is not just a diplomatic briefing, but in some ways, a friendly appeal to all those who wish Myanmar well,” said Myanmar’s State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in her characteristically sombre tone, at the end of her public address on 19 September. Suu Kyi categorically avoided touching upon specific allegations and counter-allegations with regard to the ground situation in northern Rakhine. × The speech came at a time when the Nobel Peace laureate finds herself in a thick swamp over her passivity on the alleged use of disproportionate and extrajudicial force by state security forces against the stateless community of Rohingya Muslims. Damage Control The State Counsellor’s speech, delivered in English for international consumption, came in lieu of her absence at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly held on the same date. In words that were heavily weighed, she offered a fairly broad and ostensibly neutral narrative aimed at damage-control. Much unlike how the Tatmadaw (military) would have addressed criticism from the outside, the Lady’s tone was one of conciliation rather than abrasive dismissal. She was fully aware of the importance of the global community of active and passive stakeholders that she was addressing in consolidating Myanmar’s image as a progressive democracy. This was a target audience that the Lady does not wish to lose anytime soon. However, the speech has been met with damning criticism from certain quarters of the international community. “Too little, too late”, “disappointing”, “shameful”, "little more than a mix of untruths and victim blaming" are some of the phrases that were employed to describe it. As she herself conceded in an interview with ANI next day, Suu Kyi stuck to Naypyidaw’s standard narrative on the Rakhine/Rohingya issue, the crux of which is that the situation is complex, warrants the time to resolve, and is being misrepresented in the international media. Let's take a look at some of the key themes in her cautiously-framed narrative, and the veracity of the claims made under them. Rule of Law and Human Rights Violations Suu Kyi said that her government was committed to the rule of law and condemned all forms of human rights violations and unlawful violence. She said that the security forces were under instructions to adhere to a strict code of conduct and exercise maximum restraint insofar as their operations in northern Rakhine are concerned. However, these statements carry little value without corresponding evidence from the ground which is impossible owing to the security lockdown imposed in the core conflict zone. The closest to any ‘evidence’ that we have at the moment are the countless eyewitness accounts of Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh, which paint an entirely different picture. This is further backed up by satellite images released recently showing entire villages razed to the ground. The government, so far, has not furnished any solid material counter-evidence to thwart this accusatory narrative. Further, ‘rule of law’ is always a non-starter when serious allegations of human rights abuses by state forces are concerned. In fact, on many occasions, the law is used as a shield of legitimacy to carry out a draconian action. Such a broad mandate often leads to excessive use of force and overkill when combatants are diffused within a bigger non-combatant civilian population, like in this case. The situation is somewhat similar to India’s use of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in insurgent areas. Temporary resettlement in camps and aid provision, catered only to the non-Muslim population, including ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, sub-ethnic groups (like Mru), and Hindus. In fact, 4000 of them have already returned to their homes by now - an indication of effective but discriminatory crisis resettlement. × The Situation on the Ground Suu Kyi categorically avoided touching upon specific allegations and counter-allegations with regard to the ground situation in northern Rakhine. She, however, stated that 50 per cent of the Rohingya villages is intact. Even if we take this at face value without triangulating it with material evidence (which remains obscure for now), the obvious question that pops up is: what happened to the other 50 per cent? Who burnt them? She also stated that the government had launched relief and resettlement programmes on 27 August, two days after the attack. However, almost all media reports tell us that these programmes, involving temporary resettlement in camps and aid provision, catered only to the non-Muslim population, including ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, sub-ethnic groups (like Mru), and Hindus. In fact, 4000 of them have already returned to their homes by now - an indication of effective but discriminatory crisis resettlement. Exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh Suu Kyi’s comments on the continuing mass exodus of Rohingyas to Bangladesh were met with sharp criticism and apprehension by international observers. She said that ‘most’ of the Muslims had not fled, and called upon the international community to visit northern Rakhine and speak to these Rohingyas who chose to stay back. She also stated that the government wants to find out why the exodus was happening and that it wants to talk to those who had fled. These are, at best, tactical comments aimed at deflection. Fact remains that 4 lakh Rohingyas have already crossed the perilous border, at least according to UN agencies operating in the area. Considering that around 10 lakh Rohingyas live in northern Rakhine, the displaced indeed accounts for just a part of the entire Muslim population. But, 4 lakh is not a small figure in itself and neither is the proportion of displaced so paltry that it ought to be dismissed. Her cautiously minced statement does not issue any clear invitation to talk to the displaced - something that it believes is reserved for the state authorities alone. Observers have also accused her of sounding ignorant for wondering what the reasons for the exodus could be. While she might have been fed inaccurate information about the ground reality in northern Rakhine, this seems to be another strategically-framed narrative like the rest. In asking this question, Suu Kyi implicitly absolved the military of responsibility for the ongoing displacement and shifted the blame to elements beyond the control of her government. The idea that she wants to project is that if the refugee exodus was indeed because of the state’s conduct, then she would certainly know the reason. One of the most crucial elements under this theme that Suu Kyi talked about was her government’s willingness to engage with the government of Bangladesh to resolve the refugee crisis. She stated that Myanmar is willing to begin the National Verification Process (NVP) - a policy to ascertain the citizenship of non-citizen Rakhine residents, Rohingyas included - and repatriate refugees in Bangladesh in adherence to the principles agreed upon by the two countries in 1993 under UN supervision. The futility of the NVP is reaffirmed by the fact that only 4000 of the 10 lakh Rohingyas have been accepted as citizens so far, with rest being given “green cards” × This is a welcome move that addresses the root of the problem i.e. citizenship rights for Rohingyas. However, while the NVP has been termed as a nominal policy to partially rehabilitate roving refugees in Rakhine (without giving them full citizenship status), the 1993 guidelines earlier came under scrutiny for violating international law by repatriating refugees in Bangladesh against their own wishes. The futility of the NVP is reaffirmed by the fact that only 4000 of the 10 lakh Rohingyas have been accepted as citizens so far, with rest being given “green cards” (temporary resident status). For now, the exact provisions of both remain, at best, dubious. Further, Suu Kyi said that all those who are legitimately accepted as ‘refugees’ (in Myanmar) would receive full state entitlements, including security and access to humanitarian aid. What would happen to the rest remains unclear as ever? An Exercise in Vain? Clearly, the State Counsellor’s speech was fraught with grave inconsistencies, those that third-party observers are ready to pounce on and expose. Thus, this exercise in damage control certainly falls short of its prime objective of placating international observers concerned about the situation in northern Rakhine. However, the overall tone of the narrative was not of denial, which is a refreshing break from past official narratives. It was, nonetheless, ridden with passive omissions. Truth is that the Lady does not enjoy full autonomy when it comes to handling the ground situation in the affected conflict zone. The Tatmadaw is the key decision-making authority in this regard; and, thanks to the civilian government’s delicate relationship with the ever-powerful army, Suu Kyi remains tied to the ground for now.

Rohingyas: Grave inconsistencies if not denial marks Aung Suu Kyi's speech

<p>India will need to make some hard choices in dealing with the Rohingya crisis fermenting at its doorstep, threatening to explode any minute.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What the country is facing right now, is a difficult choice between its constitutional ideals, and more pressing concerns relating to national security and foreign policy. To dub India&#39;s decision to deport the Rohingya refugees as a &ldquo;heartless, inhumane act&rdquo;, would be naivety of the highest order. To conclude that national security is a myth- a phenomenon designed to further state control over individual lives- would amount to a serious academic blunder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>State security and human security are not mutually exclusive, as is being termed by those who keep undermining the former against the latter. In reality, national security is an essential, if not the only, precursor to human security. In a country ravaged by inter-state war, civil conflict and ethnic discord, human security always ends up facing a grave threat. Essential determinants of human security, including the right to food, clothing, shelter, livelihood, the right to life, liberty and freedom of expression, cannot be guaranteed by a state that faces a grave threat to its external borders, social discord or ethnic tensions.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>To conclude that national security is a myth- a phenomenon designed to further state control over individual lives- would amount to a serious academic blunder.&nbsp;</h5>
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<p>Human rights violations are, therefore, the gravest in countries where state building is still incomplete or where the state has lost the authority and the control to govern and administer. Today, Syria and Iraq- the liberal world&#39;s experiments at democracy, present the worst picture of human security. This probably resolves, to some extent, the illusion of mutual exclusivity, which has been underlining most scholarly analysis of the current crisis.</p>

<p>To be clear, the Rohingya crisis, as it is unfolding today, is a grave human rights situation confronting the South Asian region. Ethnic cleansing of over a million people at the hands of a national army is an issue which must be condemned and the Burmese government must be held responsible. However, to expect that the countries hosting the millions of refugees, pouring through their borders, must be open to their resettlement and rehabilitation within their boundaries, is an idealistic demand on the nations already dealing with intra-state refugee problems, communal strife and terror-related violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>How are Rohingyas a threat to national security, you ask? The answer to this question is more grey, than simply black or white.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An entire community cannot be (and must not) be labelled as criminal offenders, without any substantial evidence. By chastising the Rohingyas as terrorists and subjecting them to inhuman treatment, India will be following Myanmar in its footsteps. However, India cannot remain blind to the idea that radicalisation and social alienation are inextricably linked, and the Rohingyas, therefore, make a vulnerable target for those who seek to perpetuate Jihad in their name.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>By chastising the Rohingyas as terrorists and subjecting them to inhuman treatment, India will be following Myanmar in its footsteps.</h5>
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<p>The change in the character of Rohingya violence, especially over the last couple of years is also an alarming trend. In the last one year, the violence has been largely organised and carried out by radicalised Rohingyas based in other countries. The terror activities carried out by militant organisations like ARSA and HaY are supported, organised and funded by the Rohingyas living in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Besides, they have also garnered voices of support from notorious terror organisations like the Al-Qaeda. In India too, Zakir Musa, the terror commander in Kashmir, was the first to voice his support for the group and threaten the establishment with dire consequences if the Rohingyas were to be &ldquo;touched&rdquo;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The issue not only stems from their vulnerability. Rather, a lack of clear identification of the 40, 000 Rohingyas staying in India. There is little knowledge about their whereabouts which have led to some serious outcomes. The thriving drug market in Jammu, banking on the huge chunk of Rohingya population staying in the region is an important case in point. Only last week, a Rohingya national was caught with 10 kg of narcotics in the city. It is not coincidental, therefore, that drug trafficking in Jammu and Samba has seen a concurrent rise with the rise in the number of Rohingya refugees in the city. The issue has already sparked communal tensions in the region, where only last week the Jammu city erupted in a huge protest over the allegations of cattle slaughtered by a Rohingya national.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>The thriving drug market in Jammu, banking on the huge chunk of Rohingya population staying in the region is an important case in point.</h5>
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<p>Even assuming that this wasn&#39;t the case, the situation, however, points to a very fragile communal scenario in our country, which can be exacerbated by non-state actors.</p>

<p>This, however, doesn&#39;t absolve India of its responsibility towards this community. India will have to persuade Myanmar, at least diplomatically, to resolve the crisis. The social fabric in many South Asian nations is threatened by the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingyas and it is, therefore, in every country&#39;s interest to take this up with the Burmese government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Besides, humanitarian assistance and relief work must be taken up by the state and the civil society. The deportation of Rohingyas will prove to be a contentious step, but the exercise will have to be carried out in the utmost humane and sensitive manner; without the unnecessary politicisation of a crisis.</p>


State security and human security are not mutually exclusive, as is being termed by those who keep undermining the former against the latter.

India will need to make some hard choices in dealing with the Rohingya crisis fermenting at its doorstep, threatening to explode any minute. What the country is facing right now, is a difficult choice between its constitutional ideals, and more pressing concerns relating to national security and foreign policy. To dub India's decision to deport the Rohingya refugees as a “heartless, inhumane act”, would be naivety of the highest order. To conclude that national security is a myth- a phenomenon designed to further state control over individual lives- would amount to a serious academic blunder. State security and human security are not mutually exclusive, as is being termed by those who keep undermining the former against the latter. In reality, national security is an essential, if not the only, precursor to human security. In a country ravaged by inter-state war, civil conflict and ethnic discord, human security always ends up facing a grave threat. Essential determinants of human security, including the right to food, clothing, shelter, livelihood, the right to life, liberty and freedom of expression, cannot be guaranteed by a state that faces a grave threat to its external borders, social discord or ethnic tensions. To conclude that national security is a myth- a phenomenon designed to further state control over individual lives- would amount to a serious academic blunder. × Human rights violations are, therefore, the gravest in countries where state building is still incomplete or where the state has lost the authority and the control to govern and administer. Today, Syria and Iraq- the liberal world's experiments at democracy, present the worst picture of human security. This probably resolves, to some extent, the illusion of mutual exclusivity, which has been underlining most scholarly analysis of the current crisis. To be clear, the Rohingya crisis, as it is unfolding today, is a grave human rights situation confronting the South Asian region. Ethnic cleansing of over a million people at the hands of a national army is an issue which must be condemned and the Burmese government must be held responsible. However, to expect that the countries hosting the millions of refugees, pouring through their borders, must be open to their resettlement and rehabilitation within their boundaries, is an idealistic demand on the nations already dealing with intra-state refugee problems, communal strife and terror-related violence. How are Rohingyas a threat to national security, you ask? The answer to this question is more grey, than simply black or white. An entire community cannot be (and must not) be labelled as criminal offenders, without any substantial evidence. By chastising the Rohingyas as terrorists and subjecting them to inhuman treatment, India will be following Myanmar in its footsteps. However, India cannot remain blind to the idea that radicalisation and social alienation are inextricably linked, and the Rohingyas, therefore, make a vulnerable target for those who seek to perpetuate Jihad in their name. By chastising the Rohingyas as terrorists and subjecting them to inhuman treatment, India will be following Myanmar in its footsteps. × The change in the character of Rohingya violence, especially over the last couple of years is also an alarming trend. In the last one year, the violence has been largely organised and carried out by radicalised Rohingyas based in other countries. The terror activities carried out by militant organisations like ARSA and HaY are supported, organised and funded by the Rohingyas living in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Besides, they have also garnered voices of support from notorious terror organisations like the Al-Qaeda. In India too, Zakir Musa, the terror commander in Kashmir, was the first to voice his support for the group and threaten the establishment with dire consequences if the Rohingyas were to be “touched”. The issue not only stems from their vulnerability. Rather, a lack of clear identification of the 40, 000 Rohingyas staying in India. There is little knowledge about their whereabouts which have led to some serious outcomes. The thriving drug market in Jammu, banking on the huge chunk of Rohingya population staying in the region is an important case in point. Only last week, a Rohingya national was caught with 10 kg of narcotics in the city. It is not coincidental, therefore, that drug trafficking in Jammu and Samba has seen a concurrent rise with the rise in the number of Rohingya refugees in the city. The issue has already sparked communal tensions in the region, where only last week the Jammu city erupted in a huge protest over the allegations of cattle slaughtered by a Rohingya national. The thriving drug market in Jammu, banking on the huge chunk of Rohingya population staying in the region is an important case in point. × Even assuming that this wasn't the case, the situation, however, points to a very fragile communal scenario in our country, which can be exacerbated by non-state actors. This, however, doesn't absolve India of its responsibility towards this community. India will have to persuade Myanmar, at least diplomatically, to resolve the crisis. The social fabric in many South Asian nations is threatened by the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingyas and it is, therefore, in every country's interest to take this up with the Burmese government. Besides, humanitarian assistance and relief work must be taken up by the state and the civil society. The deportation of Rohingyas will prove to be a contentious step, but the exercise will have to be carried out in the utmost humane and sensitive manner; without the unnecessary politicisation of a crisis.

Constitutional ideals or Security concerns: Rohingya issue poses a dilemma for India

A United Nations team tasked with investigating the human rights abuses in Burundi on Tuesday said the violations, including executions and torture were committed primarily by state agents and those linked to them.<br />
<br />
Warning of the looming risk of genocide, the investigators said Burundi&#39;s government was behind the systematic human rights violations.<br />
<br />
&quot;Given the country&#39;s history, the danger of the crime of genocide also looms large,&quot; the report warned.<br />
<br />
The report by three independent experts said some instances of gross human rights violations, in fact, amounted to crimes against humanity.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
They obtained satellite images and testimony corroborating the existence of mass graves, as well as several lists of both civilians and military personnel destined for &quot;targeted assassinations&quot; by security forces.<br />
<br />
&quot;UNIIB found that the large majority of victims have been identified as people who were opposed or perceived to be opposed to the third mandate of President Nkurunziza or of members of opposition parties,&quot; it said, adding:<br />
<br />
&quot;There are worrying signs of a personality cult being built around the president.&quot;<br />
<br />
The list of suspects will be handed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and be available in the event of any prosecutions.<br />
<br />
Burundi had descended into violence in April 2015, over President Pierre Nkurunziza&#39;s controversial decision to run for a third term -- a vote he won in July.<br />
<br />
The UN human rights office verified 564 cases of executions between April 26, 2015 and August 30, 2016, calling it &quot;clearly a conservative estimate&quot;.<br />
<br />
Thousands have been tortured, suffered sexual abuse or disappeared, while arbitrary detention has happened &quot;on a massive scale&quot;, the report said.<br />
<br />
But the government accused the team of bias, saying the investigators were politically motivated and their sources could not be verified.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
More than 1,000 people have been killed since the crisis began and nearly 300,000 people have fled the country as refugees.<br />
<br />
The UN painted a bleak picture for the state, saying that without dramatic changes from Burundi&#39;s government and robust engagement from the international community, &quot;the country&#39;s downward spiral is unlikely to be reversed,&quot; endangering the entire region.<br />
<br />
It called on the UN rights council to create a Commission of Inquiry to investigation the violations in Burundi.<br />
<br />
And they also asked the UN General Assembly to consider whether Burundi could remain a Human Rights Council member -- marking a first in the council&#39;s decade-long history.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from agencies)<br />
&nbsp;

The UN investigators said they had received evidence of rapes, disappearances, mass arrests as well as torture and murder in Burundi

A United Nations team tasked with investigating the human rights abuses in Burundi on Tuesday said the violations, including executions and torture were committed primarily by state agents and those linked to them. Warning of the looming risk of genocide, the investigators said Burundi's government was behind the systematic human rights violations. "Given the country's history, the danger of the crime of genocide also looms large," the report warned. The report by three independent experts said some instances of gross human rights violations, in fact, amounted to crimes against humanity. They obtained satellite images and testimony corroborating the existence of mass graves, as well as several lists of both civilians and military personnel destined for "targeted assassinations" by security forces. "UNIIB found that the large majority of victims have been identified as people who were opposed or perceived to be opposed to the third mandate of President Nkurunziza or of members of opposition parties," it said, adding: "There are worrying signs of a personality cult being built around the president." The list of suspects will be handed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and be available in the event of any prosecutions. Burundi had descended into violence in April 2015, over President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial decision to run for a third term -- a vote he won in July. The UN human rights office verified 564 cases of executions between April 26, 2015 and August 30, 2016, calling it "clearly a conservative estimate". Thousands have been tortured, suffered sexual abuse or disappeared, while arbitrary detention has happened "on a massive scale", the report said. But the government accused the team of bias, saying the investigators were politically motivated and their sources could not be verified. More than 1,000 people have been killed since the crisis began and nearly 300,000 people have fled the country as refugees. The UN painted a bleak picture for the state, saying that without dramatic changes from Burundi's government and robust engagement from the international community, "the country's downward spiral is unlikely to be reversed," endangering the entire region. It called on the UN rights council to create a Commission of Inquiry to investigation the violations in Burundi. And they also asked the UN General Assembly to consider whether Burundi could remain a Human Rights Council member -- marking a first in the council's decade-long history. (WION with inputs from agencies)

UN probe: Risk of genocide in Burundi, state behind systematic human rights abuses

Raising its concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir, the United States has called for woking out differences with peace and through a valid political process.<br />
<br />
&quot;We do have concerns about the human rights situation there (Pakistan Controlled Kashmir), have reported it for several years in our Human Rights report,&quot; state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
&quot;We are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process,&quot; he said when asked about the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir.<br />
<br />
&quot;And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known,&quot; Toner said without elaborating further.<br />
<br />
Earlier this month, protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses and crackdown by the Pakistani security forces.<br />
<br />
(PTI)

This comes after?protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses early this month

Raising its concern over the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir, the United States has called for woking out differences with peace and through a valid political process. "We do have concerns about the human rights situation there (Pakistan Controlled Kashmir), have reported it for several years in our Human Rights report," state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday. "We are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process," he said when asked about the human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir. "And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known," Toner said without elaborating further. Earlier this month, protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses and crackdown by the Pakistani security forces. (PTI)

US expresses concern over human rights situation in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir

Government soldiers and security forces in South Sudan executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after ethnically-charged fighting last month in the capital Juba, the United Nations said on Thursday.<br />
<br />
Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the government of President Salva Kiir to prosecute perpetrators and urged world powers in the UN Security Council to take &quot;urgent action&quot; to halt the&nbsp;violence. &quot;While some civilians were killed in crossfire between the fighting forces, others were reportedly summarily executed by Government (SPLA) soldiers, who appear to have specifically targeted people of Nuer origin,&quot; Zeid said in a statement.<br />
<br />
Human rights spokesman Rupert Colville reiterated the statement in an interview with Reuters on Thursday. &quot;The majority of these violations, the great majority of these violations appeared to have been committed by government forces, by the SPLA.&nbsp;They include killings, summary executions of civilians, as well as fighters; they include a lot of looting and destruction of property, and perhaps most disturbing a very high number of attacks on women, apparently, on an ethnic basis for the most part... 217 cases that we are aware of so far and obviously there could well be many more,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
He described his office&#39;s investigation, citing two separate incidents on 11 July in which SPLA soldiers reportedly arrested eight Nuer civilians during house-to-house searches in Juba&#39;s Munuki area and took them to two nearby hotels,&quot; and four of them were shot&quot;.<br />
<br />
On the same day, SPLA soldiers broke into another hotel where they shot and killed a Nuer journalist. At least 73 civilian deaths have been documented so far by the UN, but it is believed the civilian death toll may turn out to be &quot;much higher&quot;, Zeid said, adding that at least 217 cases of sexual violence in Juba had been documented during the period of July 8-25.<br />
<br />
&quot;On this one road heading to the south-west, the&nbsp;heart of Juba towards a town called Yei, and that road seems to be particularly, particularly bad. We know of around at least a hundred cases of women who were raped or gang-raped on that road in various different locations, sometimes (by) large groups, and it was mainly at checkpoints, it was government checkpoints presumably set up to catch opposition fighters fleeing the city but they were using their position to prey on women,&quot; Colville said.<br />
<br />
Kiir fired six ministers allied to his long-time rival Riek Machar late on Tuesday, widening a political rift in the world&#39;s newest state and drawing threats of more fighting.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

Human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said they were aware of 217 cases of killings, executions, looting, and attacks on women so far

Government soldiers and security forces in South Sudan executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after ethnically-charged fighting last month in the capital Juba, the United Nations said on Thursday. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the government of President Salva Kiir to prosecute perpetrators and urged world powers in the UN Security Council to take "urgent action" to halt the violence. "While some civilians were killed in crossfire between the fighting forces, others were reportedly summarily executed by Government (SPLA) soldiers, who appear to have specifically targeted people of Nuer origin," Zeid said in a statement. Human rights spokesman Rupert Colville reiterated the statement in an interview with Reuters on Thursday. "The majority of these violations, the great majority of these violations appeared to have been committed by government forces, by the SPLA. They include killings, summary executions of civilians, as well as fighters; they include a lot of looting and destruction of property, and perhaps most disturbing a very high number of attacks on women, apparently, on an ethnic basis for the most part... 217 cases that we are aware of so far and obviously there could well be many more," he said. He described his office's investigation, citing two separate incidents on 11 July in which SPLA soldiers reportedly arrested eight Nuer civilians during house-to-house searches in Juba's Munuki area and took them to two nearby hotels," and four of them were shot". On the same day, SPLA soldiers broke into another hotel where they shot and killed a Nuer journalist. At least 73 civilian deaths have been documented so far by the UN, but it is believed the civilian death toll may turn out to be "much higher", Zeid said, adding that at least 217 cases of sexual violence in Juba had been documented during the period of July 8-25. "On this one road heading to the south-west, the heart of Juba towards a town called Yei, and that road seems to be particularly, particularly bad. We know of around at least a hundred cases of women who were raped or gang-raped on that road in various different locations, sometimes (by) large groups, and it was mainly at checkpoints, it was government checkpoints presumably set up to catch opposition fighters fleeing the city but they were using their position to prey on women," Colville said. Kiir fired six ministers allied to his long-time rival Riek Machar late on Tuesday, widening a political rift in the world's newest state and drawing threats of more fighting. (Reuters)

South Sudan's government forces executed civilians and raped women: UN