A UN&nbsp;human rights expert on Friday disputed Malaysia's assertion that it has nearly eliminated poverty, saying that official figures were vastly inaccurate and do not reflect realities on the ground.

Malaysia's official poverty rate dropped from 49% in 1970 to just 0.4% in 2016.

But Philip Alston, UN&nbsp;special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said the official numbers relied on outdated measures, with the poverty line remaining at the same level for decades despite increasingly high costs of living.

Analyses done by independent groups suggest that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-set-to-begin-biggest-1mdb-trial-involving-ex-pm-najib-razak-243353">Malaysia</a> has "significant poverty" and that its true poverty rate was about 15%, Alston said.

"The government's official figures would make it the world champion in eliminating poverty ... but I think it's pretty obvious that that's not the case," Alston told a news conference at the end of an 11-day visit to Malaysia.

The prime minister's office and finance ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Alston's assertion.

Alston said the national poverty line of 980 ringgit ($234.00) per household per month was "ridiculous", as it would mean an urban family of four would have to survive on 8 ringgit, or less than $2, per person per day.

"It can't be done except under really dire circumstances," he said.

Undercounting the poverty rate has led to a lack of effective government policies targeting the problem, with too many underfunded and ineffective programmes in place, Alston said.

He urged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/controversial-preacher-zakir-naik-banned-from-giving-speeches-in-malaysia-source-244281">Malaysia </a>to reassess its methods for measuring poverty and take into account vulnerable groups excluded from the data such as stateless families, migrant workers, and refugees.

"Only then can Malaysia begin devising policies that can systematically address their needs," he said.

A UN human rights expert on Friday disputed Malaysia's assertion that it has nearly eliminated poverty, saying that official figures were vastly inaccurate and do not reflect realities on the ground.

A UN human rights expert on Friday disputed Malaysia's assertion that it has nearly eliminated poverty, saying that official figures were vastly inaccurate and do not reflect realities on the ground. Malaysia's official poverty rate dropped from 49% in 1970 to just 0.4% in 2016. But Philip Alston, UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said the official numbers relied on outdated measures, with the poverty line remaining at the same level for decades despite increasingly high costs of living. Analyses done by independent groups suggest that Malaysia has "significant poverty" and that its true poverty rate was about 15%, Alston said. "The government's official figures would make it the world champion in eliminating poverty ... but I think it's pretty obvious that that's not the case," Alston told a news conference at the end of an 11-day visit to Malaysia. The prime minister's office and finance ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Alston's assertion. Alston said the national poverty line of 980 ringgit ($234.00) per household per month was "ridiculous", as it would mean an urban family of four would have to survive on 8 ringgit, or less than $2, per person per day. "It can't be done except under really dire circumstances," he said. Undercounting the poverty rate has led to a lack of effective government policies targeting the problem, with too many underfunded and ineffective programmes in place, Alston said. He urged Malaysia to reassess its methods for measuring poverty and take into account vulnerable groups excluded from the data such as stateless families, migrant workers, and refugees. "Only then can Malaysia begin devising policies that can systematically address their needs," he said.

Malaysia's poverty levels far higher than reported: UN expert

Exposing The Hypocrisy Of China & Pakistan On Human Rights.

Human Rights: China & Pakistan must look within!

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-kill-70-combatants-in-northwest-syria-report-242094">Syrian regime forces</a> seized a town on the edge of Idlib province Sunday, a monitor said, their first ground advance since resuming an offensive on the jihadist-dominated enclave more than three months ago.

The region of northwestern Syria, which is home to an estimated three million civilians, has come under almost daily Syrian and Russian bombardment since late April.

The most recent fighting focused on an area straddling Idlib and Hama provinces, a war monitor said, and claimed dozens of lives on both sides.

"Regime forces seized the town of Al-Habeet, in Idlib's southern countryside, at dawn," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, said.

The regime's latest gains were in the north of Hama province, which lies to the south of Idlib.

The area has escaped the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government since 2015 and is the last major bastion of opposition to his regime and its allies.

The capture of Al-Habeet, one of several strategic targets for advancing pro-regime forces, came after another night of deadly fighting, the Observatory said.

According to the Britain-based monitor's tally, 70 combatants were killed on Saturday alone, 32 of them pro-government forces.

The remaining 38 were from the opposing ranks of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the jihadist outfit led by members of Al Qaeda's former Syria franchise, and allied rebel fighters.

Rami Abdel Rahman said another 27 combatants, nine of them government fighters, were killed in early fighting on Sunday.

He described Al-Habeet as 'the first town in southern Idlib to be taken by the regime since the start of the escalation' in April.

The town is seen as a stepping stone towards Khan Sheikhun, one of the main towns in Idlib and the target of some of the eight-year-old conflict's deadliest airstrikes.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced in recent weeks and aid groups have warned that an all-out assault on Idlib could turn the current humanitarian emergency into a catastrophe of proportions previously unseen.

The fighting is a violation of a deal that was reached by the battle's two main foreign brokers Russia and Turkey but was never implemented.

Russia is Damascus&nbsp;main backer while Turkey holds sway over some rebel and jihadist forces along its border.

The deal's terms were never realistic but the agreement sealed in the Russian resort of Sochi in September 2018 staved off a fully-fledged offensive that risks triggering the Syrian civil war's bloodiest phase yet.

Syrian regime forces seized a town on the edge of Idlib province Sunday, a monitor said, their first ground advance since resuming an offensive on the jihadist-dominated enclave more than three months ago.

Syrian regime forces seized a town on the edge of Idlib province Sunday, a monitor said, their first ground advance since resuming an offensive on the jihadist-dominated enclave more than three months ago. The region of northwestern Syria, which is home to an estimated three million civilians, has come under almost daily Syrian and Russian bombardment since late April. The most recent fighting focused on an area straddling Idlib and Hama provinces, a war monitor said, and claimed dozens of lives on both sides. "Regime forces seized the town of Al-Habeet, in Idlib's southern countryside, at dawn," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, said. The regime's latest gains were in the north of Hama province, which lies to the south of Idlib. The area has escaped the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government since 2015 and is the last major bastion of opposition to his regime and its allies. The capture of Al-Habeet, one of several strategic targets for advancing pro-regime forces, came after another night of deadly fighting, the Observatory said. According to the Britain-based monitor's tally, 70 combatants were killed on Saturday alone, 32 of them pro-government forces. The remaining 38 were from the opposing ranks of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the jihadist outfit led by members of Al Qaeda's former Syria franchise, and allied rebel fighters. Rami Abdel Rahman said another 27 combatants, nine of them government fighters, were killed in early fighting on Sunday. He described Al-Habeet as 'the first town in southern Idlib to be taken by the regime since the start of the escalation' in April. The town is seen as a stepping stone towards Khan Sheikhun, one of the main towns in Idlib and the target of some of the eight-year-old conflict's deadliest airstrikes. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced in recent weeks and aid groups have warned that an all-out assault on Idlib could turn the current humanitarian emergency into a catastrophe of proportions previously unseen. The fighting is a violation of a deal that was reached by the battle's two main foreign brokers Russia and Turkey but was never implemented. Russia is Damascus main backer while Turkey holds sway over some rebel and jihadist forces along its border. The deal's terms were never realistic but the agreement sealed in the Russian resort of Sochi in September 2018 staved off a fully-fledged offensive that risks triggering the Syrian civil war's bloodiest phase yet.

Syria regime gains ground in deadly Idlib push: Monitor

A ceasefire in northwest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/regime-and-russian-airstrikes-killed-15-civilians-in-northwest-syria-monitor-239097">Syria</a> reduced violence in the rebel stronghold, a monitor said, with no airstrikes on Friday after a three months army offensive killed hundreds while yielding no big territorial gains.

Though the combatants exchanged fire and shelling on Friday, the British based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian government and Russian warplanes mounted no air raids.

More than 400 civilians have been killed in the escalation since late April and more than 440,000 uprooted, the United Nations said last week.

The targeted region is part of the last major piece of territory which rebels hold after facing defeat across much of Syria at the hands of President Bashar al-Assad with his allies Russia and Iran.

Syrian state media said the ceasefire would start on Thursday night if militants fulfilled a Russian Turkish deal that had tried last year to create a demilitarized buffer zone.

The Turkey-backed opposition, which is taking part in Syria talks hosted by Kazakhstan, agreed to the ceasefire and said it must "guarantee the safety of civilians". It reserved the right to respond to "violations by Assad's regime and its militias".

Though Turkey-backed&nbsp;rebel factions also operate in Idlib province in the northwest, the dominant force there is the jihadist Tahrir al-Sham alliance, formerly the Nusra Front.

In a statement on Friday, it said the truce declaration from Damascus proved the failure of "the criminal regime's military operation against the liberated north." Tahrir al-Sham did not reject the ceasefire but warned that any attack from the other side would cancel it, vowing to retaliate.

Russia's RIA news agency cited a Kazakh Foreign Ministry official as saying the agreement does not include jihadists who might not observe it.

Turkey is following the situation after the ceasefire reports, the Foreign Ministry said.

"In every talk we hold with Russia, we tell them the (Syrian) regime needs to stop its attacks ... but the situation is apparent," Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said.

Under its deals with Moscow, Ankara has forces stationed on the ground in the Idlib region at a dozen military positions.

A series of truce deals have failed to fully end Idlib fighting and Russian-Turkish attempts have not managed to resolve the eight-year conflict.

Syrian state news agency SANA said militants fired missiles that hit a village in government territory, killing one person and injuring three other civilians on Friday.

In the latest offensive, Assad's side has been unable to gain much ground from the insurgents. The government says it has been responding to militant attacks.

The fighting has also inflicted a heavy toll on both rebel and government fighters: the Observatory war monitoring group says each side has lost around 1,000 fighters.

The United Nations will investigate attacks on U.N.-supported facilities and other humanitarian sites, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, after two-thirds of the Security Council pushed for an inquiry.

Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Belgium, Peru, Poland, Kuwait, the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia had delivered a demarche a formal diplomatic petition over the lack of an inquiry into attacks on some 14 locations in Syria.

 
&nbsp;

A ceasefire in northwest Syria reduced violence in the rebel stronghold, a monitor said, with no airstrikes on Friday after a three months army offensive killed hundreds while yielding no big territorial gains.

A ceasefire in northwest Syria reduced violence in the rebel stronghold, a monitor said, with no airstrikes on Friday after a three months army offensive killed hundreds while yielding no big territorial gains. Though the combatants exchanged fire and shelling on Friday, the British based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian government and Russian warplanes mounted no air raids. More than 400 civilians have been killed in the escalation since late April and more than 440,000 uprooted, the United Nations said last week. The targeted region is part of the last major piece of territory which rebels hold after facing defeat across much of Syria at the hands of President Bashar al-Assad with his allies Russia and Iran. Syrian state media said the ceasefire would start on Thursday night if militants fulfilled a Russian Turkish deal that had tried last year to create a demilitarized buffer zone. The Turkey-backed opposition, which is taking part in Syria talks hosted by Kazakhstan, agreed to the ceasefire and said it must "guarantee the safety of civilians". It reserved the right to respond to "violations by Assad's regime and its militias". Though Turkey-backed rebel factions also operate in Idlib province in the northwest, the dominant force there is the jihadist Tahrir al-Sham alliance, formerly the Nusra Front. In a statement on Friday, it said the truce declaration from Damascus proved the failure of "the criminal regime's military operation against the liberated north." Tahrir al-Sham did not reject the ceasefire but warned that any attack from the other side would cancel it, vowing to retaliate. Russia's RIA news agency cited a Kazakh Foreign Ministry official as saying the agreement does not include jihadists who might not observe it. Turkey is following the situation after the ceasefire reports, the Foreign Ministry said. "In every talk we hold with Russia, we tell them the (Syrian) regime needs to stop its attacks ... but the situation is apparent," Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said. Under its deals with Moscow, Ankara has forces stationed on the ground in the Idlib region at a dozen military positions. A series of truce deals have failed to fully end Idlib fighting and Russian-Turkish attempts have not managed to resolve the eight-year conflict. Syrian state news agency SANA said militants fired missiles that hit a village in government territory, killing one person and injuring three other civilians on Friday. In the latest offensive, Assad's side has been unable to gain much ground from the insurgents. The government says it has been responding to militant attacks. The fighting has also inflicted a heavy toll on both rebel and government fighters: the Observatory war monitoring group says each side has lost around 1,000 fighters. The United Nations will investigate attacks on U.N.-supported facilities and other humanitarian sites, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, after two-thirds of the Security Council pushed for an inquiry. Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Belgium, Peru, Poland, Kuwait, the Dominican Republic, and Indonesia had delivered a demarche a formal diplomatic petition over the lack of an inquiry into attacks on some 14 locations in Syria.

No air strikes in northwest Syria after ceasefire declared: Report

Mexico's government opened a shelter in the border city of Ciudad Juarez on Thursday (August 01) meant to house Central Americans waiting for their asylum claims to be processed in the United States.

Mexico opens new migrant shelter as U.S. continues to send back asylum seekers

Sri Lanka's parliament has blocked a visiting UN human rights expert from meeting with judges hearing war crimes cases, citing fears of foreign interference in the judicial system.

Clement Voule, an envoy of the United Nations Human Rights Council, travelled to the South Asian nation to discuss civil rights protections in Sri Lanka.

But opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse told parliament on Tuesday that Voule's plans to meet with senior judges overseeing cases concerning military excesses during the former strongman's tenure amounted to foreign interference.

On Wednesday parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya said he had "intervened and stopped the meeting".

"I thank the opposition for bringing this to my notice, I have taken timely action," Jayasuriya added.

Sri Lanka faced international censure for its human rights record under Rajapakse, who was toppled in January 2015 elections.

Forces under his command were accused of killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of the island's 37-year war against Tamil separatists that ended in May 2009.

Rajapakse's administration resisted global pressure to examine allegations of major human rights violations during his tenure. His successor President Maithripala Sirisena came to power on a pledge to investigate wartime atrocities but has refused calls for an international probe.

UN expert Voule has so far met Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in the presence of foreign ministry officials. He is due to leave Sri Lanka on Friday.

Sri Lanka's parliament has blocked a visiting UN human rights expert from meeting with judges hearing war crimes cases, citing fears of foreign interference in the judicial system.

Sri Lanka's parliament has blocked a visiting UN human rights expert from meeting with judges hearing war crimes cases, citing fears of foreign interference in the judicial system. Clement Voule, an envoy of the United Nations Human Rights Council, travelled to the South Asian nation to discuss civil rights protections in Sri Lanka. But opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse told parliament on Tuesday that Voule's plans to meet with senior judges overseeing cases concerning military excesses during the former strongman's tenure amounted to foreign interference. On Wednesday parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya said he had "intervened and stopped the meeting". "I thank the opposition for bringing this to my notice, I have taken timely action," Jayasuriya added. Sri Lanka faced international censure for its human rights record under Rajapakse, who was toppled in January 2015 elections. Forces under his command were accused of killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of the island's 37-year war against Tamil separatists that ended in May 2009. Rajapakse's administration resisted global pressure to examine allegations of major human rights violations during his tenure. His successor President Maithripala Sirisena came to power on a pledge to investigate wartime atrocities but has refused calls for an international probe. UN expert Voule has so far met Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in the presence of foreign ministry officials. He is due to leave Sri Lanka on Friday.

Fearing foreign interference, Sri Lanka blocks UN meeting with judges 

The United Nations has called on the international community to take urgent action to help children living in a camp in north east Syria, warning they remain the most vulnerable to violence and extremism.

UN seeks support for children in Syria's camps

Ambassadors from 37 countries jointly sent a letter on Friday to the United Nations Human Rights Council, showing their support for China's achievements in protecting human rights in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Watch this video to know more.

Saudi Arabia defends China on human rights achievements in joint letter to UN

Migrants at a Libyan detention centre say they are forced to live in unhygienic conditions, and often face food shortages.

Migrants stranded at Libya detention centre

Migrants are waiting nervously at a migration office at the U.S.-Mexico border where a Mexican official calls out numbers from a long list of hopefuls waiting to cross to the United States. Migrants have been praying their numbers are called out before a new U.S. policy announced on Monday (July 15) enters into force that bars almost all immigrants from applying for asylum at the country's southern border.

New asylum curb adds more worry for those waiting at U.S.-Mexico border

Before dawn on Wednesday, National Guard members appeared on the banks of the Suchiate River in Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, where they supported immigration agents checking documents of foreigners attempting to cross the border from Guatemala on rafts.

Migrant crackdown continues in Mexico

Baloch Republican Party and World Baloch Organisation on Sunday organised a protest outside Lords in London to highlight the pathetic human rights condition in Pakistan.

Protestors distributed leaflets outside the stadium to raise awareness about enforced disappearances of Baloch and other ethnic/religious minorities in Pakistan.

Bhawal Mengal of World Baloch Organisation told ANI, "Our protest outside Lord`s stadium is to inform Pakistanis attending the event but more importantly Pakistani officials at the event that abducting, torturing, killing people who speak out for their rights has never and will never work, you cannot silence us all.&nbsp;

The international community must speak up for justice and help End enforced disappearances of ethnic Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun, Mohajir and religious minorities in Pakistan.

"Earlier, roadside billboards appeared around the city of London with slogans "Help end enforced disappearances in Pakistan" drawing the world`s attention towards the grave issue.

According to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, an entity established by the Pakistani government, 5,000 cases of enforced disappearances have been registered since 2014.

Most of them are still unresolved. Independent local and international human rights organizations put the numbers much higher. 20,000 have reportedly been abducted only from Balochistan, out of which more than 2,500 have turned up dead as bullet-riddled dead bodies, bearing signs of extreme torture.

Teenage Ali Haider Baloch, who started protesting for the release of his missing father as a child 10 years ago, himself became a victim of enforced disappearances on Wednesday at the hands of state authorities.

"The cases of enforced disappearances continue unabated as we campaign for an end to this heinous crime against humanity," said a spokesman of the BRP, adding "there is hardly any household in Balochistan which has not lost a member as a result of enforced disappearances."

Earlier in January 2014, a mass grave was discovered in Tootak area of Khuzdar. As many as 167 bodies were recovered from the site.&nbsp;

Human rights organisations believed the bodies belonged to previously abducted individuals, who were killed and dumped.&nbsp;

However, the recovered bodies were later buried by authorities without any DNA testing.

Pakistan`s establishment has been long criticized over its practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by International bodies and local human rights organisations that dare to speak out on the issue.

Before being elected as Prime Minister, Imran Khan had admitted in multiple TV interviews the involvement of Pakistan`s intelligence agencies in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and vowed to resign if he was unable to put an end to the practice, holding those involved responsible.

Families of the abducted victims have long been protesting for the safe recovery of their loved ones in the provincial capital Quetta, and their protest camp has now completed more than 3,500 days.

The organisers of the campaign have long been engaged in efforts to highlight the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan at international platforms, organising events around Europe and in the United States, focusing on advocacy activities in the European Parliament, the US parliamentary houses, and the United Nations.

Baloch Republican Party and World Baloch Organisation on Sunday organised a protest outside Lords in London to highlight the pathetic human rights condition in Pakistan.

Baloch Republican Party and World Baloch Organisation on Sunday organised a protest outside Lords in London to highlight the pathetic human rights condition in Pakistan. Protestors distributed leaflets outside the stadium to raise awareness about enforced disappearances of Baloch and other ethnic/religious minorities in Pakistan. Bhawal Mengal of World Baloch Organisation told ANI, "Our protest outside Lord`s stadium is to inform Pakistanis attending the event but more importantly Pakistani officials at the event that abducting, torturing, killing people who speak out for their rights has never and will never work, you cannot silence us all. The international community must speak up for justice and help End enforced disappearances of ethnic Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun, Mohajir and religious minorities in Pakistan. "Earlier, roadside billboards appeared around the city of London with slogans "Help end enforced disappearances in Pakistan" drawing the world`s attention towards the grave issue. According to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, an entity established by the Pakistani government, 5,000 cases of enforced disappearances have been registered since 2014. Most of them are still unresolved. Independent local and international human rights organizations put the numbers much higher. 20,000 have reportedly been abducted only from Balochistan, out of which more than 2,500 have turned up dead as bullet-riddled dead bodies, bearing signs of extreme torture. Teenage Ali Haider Baloch, who started protesting for the release of his missing father as a child 10 years ago, himself became a victim of enforced disappearances on Wednesday at the hands of state authorities. "The cases of enforced disappearances continue unabated as we campaign for an end to this heinous crime against humanity," said a spokesman of the BRP, adding "there is hardly any household in Balochistan which has not lost a member as a result of enforced disappearances." Earlier in January 2014, a mass grave was discovered in Tootak area of Khuzdar. As many as 167 bodies were recovered from the site. Human rights organisations believed the bodies belonged to previously abducted individuals, who were killed and dumped. However, the recovered bodies were later buried by authorities without any DNA testing. Pakistan`s establishment has been long criticized over its practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by International bodies and local human rights organisations that dare to speak out on the issue. Before being elected as Prime Minister, Imran Khan had admitted in multiple TV interviews the involvement of Pakistan`s intelligence agencies in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and vowed to resign if he was unable to put an end to the practice, holding those involved responsible. Families of the abducted victims have long been protesting for the safe recovery of their loved ones in the provincial capital Quetta, and their protest camp has now completed more than 3,500 days. The organisers of the campaign have long been engaged in efforts to highlight the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan at international platforms, organising events around Europe and in the United States, focusing on advocacy activities in the European Parliament, the US parliamentary houses, and the United Nations.

Baloch Republican Party protests outside Lords against human rights condition in Pakistan

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-says-onus-is-on-turkey-to-rein-in-militants-in-syrias-idlib-223225">Syria and Russia</a> to stop "bombing the hell" out of Syria's last jihadist stronghold Idlib.

"Hearing word that Russia, Syria and, to a lesser extent, Iran, are bombing the hell out of Idlib Province in Syria, and indiscriminately killing many innocent civilians. The World is watching this butchery. What is the purpose, what will it get you? STOP!" he said on Twitter shortly before he was to depart for a state visit to Britain.

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Hearing word that Russia, Syria and, to a lesser extent, Iran, are bombing the hell out of Idlib Province in Syria, and indiscriminately killing many innocent civilians. The World is watching this butchery. What is the purpose, what will it get you? STOP!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1135332642851893250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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His comments came after Syrian NGOs on Friday decried international inaction in the face of mounting violence in the northwestern region.

As well as killing dozens of civilians, the recent bombardments by Syrian and Russian forces in northwest Syria have pushed 300,000 people towards Turkey's border, the NGOs said at a press conference in Istanbul.&nbsp;

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday that almost 950 people had been killed in the latest clashes in Idlib.&nbsp;

A September deal was supposed to avert a full-out regime offensive on the province and adjacent areas held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

But the jihadists have refused to leave the area, and the deal is on the verge of collapse as Syrian and Russian forces allied to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad ramp up air strikes and rocket fire.

Watch: Israel and Syria exchange fire amid soaring regional tensions

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Iranian fighters and Hezbollah paramilitary forces are also stationed in Syria to back the Assad regime.

The worsening unrest in Idlib comes with tensions soaring between Iran and the United States.

The stand-off has been simmering since the US last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear treaty Iran reached with major world powers.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told Syria and Russia to stop "bombing the hell" out of Syria's last jihadist stronghold Idlib. "Hearing word that Russia, Syria and, to a lesser extent, Iran, are bombing the hell out of Idlib Province in Syria, and indiscriminately killing many innocent civilians.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told Syria and Russia to stop "bombing the hell" out of Syria's last jihadist stronghold Idlib. "Hearing word that Russia, Syria and, to a lesser extent, Iran, are bombing the hell out of Idlib Province in Syria, and indiscriminately killing many innocent civilians. The World is watching this butchery. What is the purpose, what will it get you? STOP!" he said on Twitter shortly before he was to depart for a state visit to Britain. Hearing word that Russia, Syria and, to a lesser extent, Iran, are bombing the hell out of Idlib Province in Syria, and indiscriminately killing many innocent civilians. The World is watching this butchery. What is the purpose, what will it get you? STOP! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2019 × His comments came after Syrian NGOs on Friday decried international inaction in the face of mounting violence in the northwestern region. As well as killing dozens of civilians, the recent bombardments by Syrian and Russian forces in northwest Syria have pushed 300,000 people towards Turkey's border, the NGOs said at a press conference in Istanbul. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday that almost 950 people had been killed in the latest clashes in Idlib. A September deal was supposed to avert a full-out regime offensive on the province and adjacent areas held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. But the jihadists have refused to leave the area, and the deal is on the verge of collapse as Syrian and Russian forces allied to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad ramp up air strikes and rocket fire. Watch: Israel and Syria exchange fire amid soaring regional tensions × Iranian fighters and Hezbollah paramilitary forces are also stationed in Syria to back the Assad regime. The worsening unrest in Idlib comes with tensions soaring between Iran and the United States. The stand-off has been simmering since the US last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear treaty Iran reached with major world powers.

'STOP!' bombing, killing in Syria's Idlib: US President Donald Trump

France must stop the "inhumane treatment" of children of jihadists stranded in Syria who are not being allowed to come to the country, its rights ombudsman said Wednesday, warning that Paris was flouting its UN obligations.

The statement by France's Human Rights Defender Jacques Toubon came as controversy intensifies over the reluctance of French authorities to take in the children of French citizens affiliated with Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

"The French state needs to adopt effective measures allowing the halt to the inhumane and degrading treatment of children and their mothers and put an end to the violations of the rights of the child," Toubon said.

He alleged violations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which France is a signatory.

The human rights defender leads an independent state institution set up in 2011 and enshrined in the constitution to defend people whose rights have been violated.

Toubon had been asked to give an opinion on the issue by the lawyers of several families with French citizens held in Syria and Iraq.

According to the French foreign ministry, some 450 French citizens linked to IS are either detained by Kurdish forces in northern Syria or being held in refugee camps.

But France is reluctant to bring back foreign fighters or their families after suffering a wave of deadly jihadist attacks that have killed more than 250 people since 2015.

It has said it would consider requests for their return, but only on a case-by-case basis. Since March it has repatriated five orphans and a three-year-old girl whose mother was sentenced to life in prison in Iraq.

In April, France's State Council, which rules on the constitutionality of policies and laws, rejected several requests to intervene, saying it was a French diplomatic matter outside the council's jurisdiction.

"Finally a national authority has condemned France and urged it to respect its international and European obligations," said lawyer Marie Dose, who represents several of the affected families, after Toubon's statement.

Lawyers William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth, who represented families who sought the opinion, welcomed the recognition "of the extreme seriousness of the violation of fundamental rights".

"We expect that the French authorities will organise the repatriation (of the children) as soon as possible," they said in a statement.

The grandparents of two children stranded with their French jihadist mother at a camp in Kurdish-held Syria filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights earlier this month over France's refusal to allow them home.

France must stop the "inhumane treatment" of children of jihadists stranded in Syria who are not being allowed to come to the country, its rights ombudsman said Wednesday, warning that Paris was flouting its UN obligations.

France must stop the "inhumane treatment" of children of jihadists stranded in Syria who are not being allowed to come to the country, its rights ombudsman said Wednesday, warning that Paris was flouting its UN obligations. The statement by France's Human Rights Defender Jacques Toubon came as controversy intensifies over the reluctance of French authorities to take in the children of French citizens affiliated with Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Syria and Iraq. "The French state needs to adopt effective measures allowing the halt to the inhumane and degrading treatment of children and their mothers and put an end to the violations of the rights of the child," Toubon said. He alleged violations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which France is a signatory. The human rights defender leads an independent state institution set up in 2011 and enshrined in the constitution to defend people whose rights have been violated. Toubon had been asked to give an opinion on the issue by the lawyers of several families with French citizens held in Syria and Iraq. According to the French foreign ministry, some 450 French citizens linked to IS are either detained by Kurdish forces in northern Syria or being held in refugee camps. But France is reluctant to bring back foreign fighters or their families after suffering a wave of deadly jihadist attacks that have killed more than 250 people since 2015. It has said it would consider requests for their return, but only on a case-by-case basis. Since March it has repatriated five orphans and a three-year-old girl whose mother was sentenced to life in prison in Iraq. In April, France's State Council, which rules on the constitutionality of policies and laws, rejected several requests to intervene, saying it was a French diplomatic matter outside the council's jurisdiction. "Finally a national authority has condemned France and urged it to respect its international and European obligations," said lawyer Marie Dose, who represents several of the affected families, after Toubon's statement. Lawyers William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth, who represented families who sought the opinion, welcomed the recognition "of the extreme seriousness of the violation of fundamental rights". "We expect that the French authorities will organise the repatriation (of the children) as soon as possible," they said in a statement. The grandparents of two children stranded with their French jihadist mother at a camp in Kurdish-held Syria filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights earlier this month over France's refusal to allow them home.

Rights body slams France's 'inhumane treatment' of jihadists' children

Human Rights Watch on Friday slammed Bangladesh authorities after a series of new arrests this week under the country's notorious internet laws, raising worries over the freedom of expression in the South Asian nation.

Prominent poet<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-police-arrests-poet-for-hurting-religious-sentiments-218789"> Henry Sawpon</a>, lawyer and champion of indigenous people Imtiaz Mahmood and human rights defender Abdul Kaium were arrested in the past few days, prompting social media outrage and protests in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere.

Sawpon and Mahmood were released on bail Thursday, but Kaium remained in detention and faces charges of extortion and defamation under the digital security law.

These were first major arrests since the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accused of increasing authoritarianism, took power in January for the fourth time after an election opposition parties and experts said were flawed and rigged. &nbsp;

Hasina's government, which has been in power since 2009, has been criticised for enacting draconian internet and digital security laws that many fears were being used to crackdown on dissent.&nbsp;

"Arresting activists, poets, and lawyers for exercising their right to free speech is straight out of the authoritarian playbook," said Brad Adams, Asia director of New York-based Human Rights Watch.&nbsp;

"The Bangladesh government should stop locking up its critics and review the law to ensure it upholds international standards on the right to peaceful expression," he said in a statement.

Sawpon, a Christian, was arrested on Wednesday after a Catholic priest filed a case against him, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments of the country's minority community.

In a series of posts on Facebook, Sawpon has written about corruption among the clergy and alleged sexual assaults of young girls.

Mahmood, a lawyer and an indigenous rights activists, has used his Facebook page to write about alleged crimes perpetrated against tribal people in the country's Chittagong hill districts.

Kaium is associated with the prominent human rights organisation Odhikar, whose chiefs were charged with "publishing false images and information" and "disrupting the law and order situation of the country".

Kaium also edits an online news portal in his hometown northern city of Mymensingh.

All three could face multiple years in jail if found guilty. &nbsp;

"This week's arrests show how small the space has become for civil society in Bangladesh," Adams said.&nbsp;

"Sheikh Hasina's government should revise the abusive elements of these laws before the space for peaceful expression disappears entirely."

Last August Bangladesh replaced its internet laws, which were used heavily to arrests scores of opposition activists and dissidents, with a more draconian digital security laws, despite protests by journalists and rights groups.

Hasina, however, has backed the law, saying "if there is no criminal mind, there is no reason to worry".

Human Rights Watch on Friday slammed Bangladesh authorities after a series of new arrests this week under the country's notorious internet laws, raising worries over the freedom of expression in the South Asian nation.

Human Rights Watch on Friday slammed Bangladesh authorities after a series of new arrests this week under the country's notorious internet laws, raising worries over the freedom of expression in the South Asian nation. Prominent poet Henry Sawpon, lawyer and champion of indigenous people Imtiaz Mahmood and human rights defender Abdul Kaium were arrested in the past few days, prompting social media outrage and protests in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere. Sawpon and Mahmood were released on bail Thursday, but Kaium remained in detention and faces charges of extortion and defamation under the digital security law. These were first major arrests since the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accused of increasing authoritarianism, took power in January for the fourth time after an election opposition parties and experts said were flawed and rigged. Hasina's government, which has been in power since 2009, has been criticised for enacting draconian internet and digital security laws that many fears were being used to crackdown on dissent. "Arresting activists, poets, and lawyers for exercising their right to free speech is straight out of the authoritarian playbook," said Brad Adams, Asia director of New York-based Human Rights Watch. "The Bangladesh government should stop locking up its critics and review the law to ensure it upholds international standards on the right to peaceful expression," he said in a statement. Sawpon, a Christian, was arrested on Wednesday after a Catholic priest filed a case against him, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments of the country's minority community. In a series of posts on Facebook, Sawpon has written about corruption among the clergy and alleged sexual assaults of young girls. Mahmood, a lawyer and an indigenous rights activists, has used his Facebook page to write about alleged crimes perpetrated against tribal people in the country's Chittagong hill districts. Kaium is associated with the prominent human rights organisation Odhikar, whose chiefs were charged with "publishing false images and information" and "disrupting the law and order situation of the country". Kaium also edits an online news portal in his hometown northern city of Mymensingh. All three could face multiple years in jail if found guilty. "This week's arrests show how small the space has become for civil society in Bangladesh," Adams said. "Sheikh Hasina's government should revise the abusive elements of these laws before the space for peaceful expression disappears entirely." Last August Bangladesh replaced its internet laws, which were used heavily to arrests scores of opposition activists and dissidents, with a more draconian digital security laws, despite protests by journalists and rights groups. Hasina, however, has backed the law, saying "if there is no criminal mind, there is no reason to worry".

Human Rights Watch slams Bangladesh arrest of Prominent poet, lawyer

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brunei-defends-sharia-law-says-law-is-for-prevention-and-not-punishment-209945">harsh sharia laws</a> to be abandoned entirely.

In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei's regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes.&nbsp;

The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level.

The move <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nz-pm-ardern-says-bruneis-new-death-penalty-for-gay-sex-fly-in-the-face-of-human-rights-207827">sparked anger from governments</a> and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a "clear violation" of human rights while celebrities led by actor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/brunei-gay-sex-stoning-ellen-degeneres-george-clooney-others-ask-for-hotels-boycott-207956">George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted</a>.&nbsp;

In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the sharia laws.

"Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country," he insisted, according to an official translation of his speech.

Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code -- which is enforced alongside the sharia code -- but no one has been executed for decades.&nbsp;

Hassanal said that "we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law.

"This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission."

'Human rights monstrosity'

But rights groups said the announcement did not go far enough.

"It really doesn't change anything," Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP.

"This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (sharia code)."

The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the sharia code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning.&nbsp;

Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term.

Whipping and jail terms, as well as the severing of limbs for theft, under the new code, was not affected by the sultan's announcement.

It was not clear how far other sharia punishments would be enforced.&nbsp;

The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that "the entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped.&nbsp;

"It's a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan's word is law."

LGBT stigma still strong

While gay Bruneians were relieved the death penalty for homosexual sex would not be enforced, they said the law still encourages discrimination against LGBT people in the former British protectorate of about 400,000 people.

"There will still be hate against LGBT people," Khairul, a gay man in Brunei who gave only one name, told AFP.

"This law should be changed -- as long as it exists, there will always be stigmatisation against LGBT people and non-Muslims in Brunei."

The sultan -- one of the world's wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades -- announced plans for the sharia penal code in 2013.

The first section was introduced in 2014 and included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for offences including skipping Friday prayers, but introduction of the harsher penalties was delayed after criticism.

Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the oil-dependent economy, which has been ravaged by a recession in recent years.

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely.

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely. In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei's regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes. The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level. The move sparked anger from governments and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a "clear violation" of human rights while celebrities led by actor George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted. In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the sharia laws. "Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country," he insisted, according to an official translation of his speech. Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code -- which is enforced alongside the sharia code -- but no one has been executed for decades. Hassanal said that "we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law. "This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission." 'Human rights monstrosity' But rights groups said the announcement did not go far enough. "It really doesn't change anything," Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP. "This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (sharia code)." The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the sharia code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning. Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term. Whipping and jail terms, as well as the severing of limbs for theft, under the new code, was not affected by the sultan's announcement. It was not clear how far other sharia punishments would be enforced. The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that "the entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped. "It's a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan's word is law." LGBT stigma still strong While gay Bruneians were relieved the death penalty for homosexual sex would not be enforced, they said the law still encourages discrimination against LGBT people in the former British protectorate of about 400,000 people. "There will still be hate against LGBT people," Khairul, a gay man in Brunei who gave only one name, told AFP. "This law should be changed -- as long as it exists, there will always be stigmatisation against LGBT people and non-Muslims in Brunei." The sultan -- one of the world's wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades -- announced plans for the sharia penal code in 2013. The first section was introduced in 2014 and included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for offences including skipping Friday prayers, but introduction of the harsher penalties was delayed after criticism. Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the oil-dependent economy, which has been ravaged by a recession in recent years.

Brunei won't enforce gay sex death penalty after global backlash: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

“Sir I want to be with the boys,” said a 24-year- old officer, declining to go home on sick leave at the Base Hospital at Srinagar. I was Corps Commander in Kashmir and had gone to meet some of our soldiers and officers wounded in operations there. 
 
This young officer, Capt Pawan Kumar, had his jaw smashed by a stone pelting crowd, as he was returning with his team after a successful encounter with terrorists. Bemused, I looked at this 24-year-old, who wanted to return to his ‘boys’, each of whom were trained Special Forces soldiers, all older than him and more experienced. This is the indomitable spirit of the young officers of the Indian Army, who always lead from the front.&nbsp;

Within a week, I saluted his mortal remains in a casket. It was overwhelming! In the biggest hostage situation during my tenure as Corps Commander in Kashmir, terrorists had occupied the Skill Development Centre, a six-storeyed building in Pampore, on the outskirts of Srinagar.&nbsp;

These brave hearts rescued over 60 hostages safely, all Kashmiri men and women. But they paid a heavy price for it, with their own lives. Captain Pawan Kumar, Capt Tushar Mahajan &amp; L/Nk Om Prakash, all commandos, were martyred.&nbsp;

During the operation, it did not matter that some of the locals they were rescuing were those who hate the Army, with many pelting stones at them. They just did their duty, saved the lives of Kashmiri hostages at the expense of their own. The only thing that mattered was the honour of the country and the duty at hand.&nbsp;

Capt Pawan Kumar is not the only one. I’ve met several other victims of this intifada style of ‘unarmed’ protest, stone pelting. Some of these fighters have narrowly missed losing an eye, some have had their jaws smashed, and suffered many injuries. So unarmed that these stone-pelters are, they are certainly not non-violent. In fact, they are viciously violent.&nbsp;

Off late, there is another trend. We have had soldiers belonging to Kashmir who have been kidnapped and killed by terrorists. Lt Ummer Fayaz, who went home in Shopian to attend a wedding in the family, a JAK-LI jawan Mukhtiyar, who went to attend his son’s funeral, or Md Yasin Itoo, who simply went home on leave, were all killed by terrorists.&nbsp;

Besides, hundreds of soldiers have lost their lives while fighting terrorists in these areas over the last three decades. Ever so often, soldiers and officers have been wounded, maimed or crippled.&nbsp;

While there is a raging debate on whether AFSPA is being too harsh and draconian, there is scarcely any concern about the human rights of soldiers.

While NGOs and several organisations like the NHRC vie to fight for the human right of terrorists, there’s no such institutional support for the army man, who goes to fight in the line of duty. &nbsp;

Just because he voluntarily signs up for an unlimited liability contract, doesn’t the soldier enjoy some legal rights as well?&nbsp;

Last month, two young women, barely out of their teens, Preeti Kedar Gokhale and Kajal Mishra, petitioned the Supreme Court to safeguard basic human rights of their soldier fathers.&nbsp;

The petitioners said they are “greatly disturbed by the incidents of unruly and disruptive mobs” pelting stones at soldiers and army convoys in Jammu and Kashmir and sought formulation of a policy to curb human rights violations of security force personnel who come under attack by mobs while performing their duty. &nbsp;

In August last year, over 300 army personnel approached the Supreme Court challenging registration of FIRs against them for operations in disturbed areas such as Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir, where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in force.&nbsp;

The apex court admitted their plea on the grounds that army personnel are being “persecuted” and proceeded against for performing duties in disturbed areas.&nbsp; 
 
This problem needs to be nipped in the bud. The army personnel, in their petition, claimed that they “are now facing confusion and countering questions from the soldiers under their command, as to whether they are supposed to continue to engage the proxy war and insurgency with their military training, principles, standard operating procedures, operational realities, valour and courage or act and operate as per the yardsticks of peacetime operations, law and order issues and CrPC.”

It is a very pertinent question to ask. Should officers and soldiers have to knock the gates of justice individually to do what are their bonafide duties? Since the army, obviously, cannot take recourse to legal action, should the courts take suo moto notice of the issue or can the legal fraternity help?

The soldier risks his life for the nation and for the people. It is grossly unfair if some of them have to defend themselves in courts even after retirement, for some action that he may have allegedly committed while performing his duties, which needless to say, involved grave risk to his life and limb. In return, the least a soldier deserves is the support of the country that required of him to make sacrifices, and the countrymen he risked his life for. That is not asking for too much, is it?

 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-soldiers-and-civil-liberties-2745050">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

“Sir I want to be with the boys,” said a 24-year- old officer, declining to go home on sick leave at the Base Hospital at Srinagar. I was Corps Commander in Kashmir and had gone to meet some of our soldiers and officers wounded in operations there.

“Sir I want to be with the boys,” said a 24-year- old officer, declining to go home on sick leave at the Base Hospital at Srinagar. I was Corps Commander in Kashmir and had gone to meet some of our soldiers and officers wounded in operations there. This young officer, Capt Pawan Kumar, had his jaw smashed by a stone pelting crowd, as he was returning with his team after a successful encounter with terrorists. Bemused, I looked at this 24-year-old, who wanted to return to his ‘boys’, each of whom were trained Special Forces soldiers, all older than him and more experienced. This is the indomitable spirit of the young officers of the Indian Army, who always lead from the front. Within a week, I saluted his mortal remains in a casket. It was overwhelming! In the biggest hostage situation during my tenure as Corps Commander in Kashmir, terrorists had occupied the Skill Development Centre, a six-storeyed building in Pampore, on the outskirts of Srinagar. These brave hearts rescued over 60 hostages safely, all Kashmiri men and women. But they paid a heavy price for it, with their own lives. Captain Pawan Kumar, Capt Tushar Mahajan & L/Nk Om Prakash, all commandos, were martyred. During the operation, it did not matter that some of the locals they were rescuing were those who hate the Army, with many pelting stones at them. They just did their duty, saved the lives of Kashmiri hostages at the expense of their own. The only thing that mattered was the honour of the country and the duty at hand. Capt Pawan Kumar is not the only one. I’ve met several other victims of this intifada style of ‘unarmed’ protest, stone pelting. Some of these fighters have narrowly missed losing an eye, some have had their jaws smashed, and suffered many injuries. So unarmed that these stone-pelters are, they are certainly not non-violent. In fact, they are viciously violent. Off late, there is another trend. We have had soldiers belonging to Kashmir who have been kidnapped and killed by terrorists. Lt Ummer Fayaz, who went home in Shopian to attend a wedding in the family, a JAK-LI jawan Mukhtiyar, who went to attend his son’s funeral, or Md Yasin Itoo, who simply went home on leave, were all killed by terrorists. Besides, hundreds of soldiers have lost their lives while fighting terrorists in these areas over the last three decades. Ever so often, soldiers and officers have been wounded, maimed or crippled. While there is a raging debate on whether AFSPA is being too harsh and draconian, there is scarcely any concern about the human rights of soldiers. While NGOs and several organisations like the NHRC vie to fight for the human right of terrorists, there’s no such institutional support for the army man, who goes to fight in the line of duty. Just because he voluntarily signs up for an unlimited liability contract, doesn’t the soldier enjoy some legal rights as well? Last month, two young women, barely out of their teens, Preeti Kedar Gokhale and Kajal Mishra, petitioned the Supreme Court to safeguard basic human rights of their soldier fathers. The petitioners said they are “greatly disturbed by the incidents of unruly and disruptive mobs” pelting stones at soldiers and army convoys in Jammu and Kashmir and sought formulation of a policy to curb human rights violations of security force personnel who come under attack by mobs while performing their duty. In August last year, over 300 army personnel approached the Supreme Court challenging registration of FIRs against them for operations in disturbed areas such as Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir, where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in force. The apex court admitted their plea on the grounds that army personnel are being “persecuted” and proceeded against for performing duties in disturbed areas. This problem needs to be nipped in the bud. The army personnel, in their petition, claimed that they “are now facing confusion and countering questions from the soldiers under their command, as to whether they are supposed to continue to engage the proxy war and insurgency with their military training, principles, standard operating procedures, operational realities, valour and courage or act and operate as per the yardsticks of peacetime operations, law and order issues and CrPC.” It is a very pertinent question to ask. Should officers and soldiers have to knock the gates of justice individually to do what are their bonafide duties? Since the army, obviously, cannot take recourse to legal action, should the courts take suo moto notice of the issue or can the legal fraternity help? The soldier risks his life for the nation and for the people. It is grossly unfair if some of them have to defend themselves in courts even after retirement, for some action that he may have allegedly committed while performing his duties, which needless to say, involved grave risk to his life and limb. In return, the least a soldier deserves is the support of the country that required of him to make sacrifices, and the countrymen he risked his life for. That is not asking for too much, is it? (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Soldiers and civil liberties: Terrorists have more human rights defenders in this country

A Sudanese woman who has come to symbolise for many the protests that have forced out former president Omar al-Bashir said her country's revolution was far from over and sought to remove what she called a regime of "murder and tyranny" in its entirety.

'Woman in white' Alaa Salah seeks removal of entire Sudan regime

Um Yusuf is the widow of an Islamic State (IS) group member. Her husband, Abu Yusuf, who worked as a policeman for IS, died in an airstrike in February 2017, during the battle to retake Mosul from the extremists.

IS families face exclusion in Iraq

Amid pressure from Washington, Mexico is back-pedalling on promises of better treatment for Central American migrants, leaving hundreds stranded in unsanitary camps near its southern border and allegations of irregular detentions.

Migrant camps overflow as Mexico cracks down after Trump threats

The World Sindhi Congress (WSC), which represents the interest of the Sindhi People, has formally asked the United Nations to send a fact-finding team to Pakistan to investigate the ongoing human rights violations in Sindh province of Pakistan and to clear the way for formal United Nations intervention in the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Sindh.

Lakhu Luhana, the secretary general of London-based World Sindhi Congress said, "Sindhi people are currently facing the worst atrocities in their history. Enforced disappearances are occurring on an average of 10 persons per month, violence against religious minorities has reached unprecedented levels&nbsp;&nbsp;- in last 2 months 13 underage girls from the most vulnerable Sindhi Hindu community have been abducted and forcibly converted".

He laid stress on an urgent visit of UN fact-finding mission to Sindh where the people are facing persecution in the hands of state agencies.

Lakhu Luhana added, “The resources of Sindh, rather sustaining the life of Sindhi people, are being looted illegally and immorally. Sindhi people are not only dying of force-induced hunger and disease but now by enforced disappearances as well”.

"Sindhi people seem to have no hope for any remedy or justice from the state of Pakistan and its institutions in spite of a continuous democratic struggle of decades. It is a critical situation requiring urgent international intervention. Therefore,&nbsp;&nbsp;Sindhi people&nbsp;&nbsp;request the UN to send a Fact-Finding Commission to Sindh&nbsp;&nbsp;to investigate and gather data and evidence of unprecedented onslaught on political, economic, social, cultural and human rights including the right to live of Sindhi people", said Lakhu Luhana&nbsp;&nbsp;who continues to highlight the atrocities of Sindhi people at the UN Human Rights Council Sessions in Geneva.

On Friday in Karachi city - another NGO which highlights the plight of the minorities in Sindh the People’s Human Rights Organisations held a press conference to raise the issue of protection of minorities.

Addressing the media Ihsan Ali, Chairman People’s Human Rights Organisation said Sindh government has failed to protect the human rights of the Hindu minority.

Further, he added that unfortunately, the State was turning a blind eye to the people of Sindh especially the Hindu minority.

Ihsan Ali said&nbsp;&nbsp;People’s Human Rights Organisation wants to share its apprehensions on the very disappointing situation for the Hindu community which has been subjected to untold misery in the two months of February and March 2019.

The Sindh Assembly had unanimously passed the Sindh Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Bill 2015 on November 24. Under the bill, anyone found involved in a forced conversion could face a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison along with a fine. However, the bill was never implemented.

The Pakistan People's Human Rights organisation expressed concern that if the bill to protect minorities was amended or abrogated under pressure from extremist religious parties, it would increase the sense of insecurity among non-Muslims, adding that the human rights situation for all minorities was very grave in Sindh.

The World Sindhi Congress (WSC), which represents the interest of the Sindhi People, has formally asked the United Nations to send a fact-finding team to Pakistan to investigate the ongoing human rights violations in Sindh province of Pakistan and to clear the way for formal United Nations intervention in the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Sindh.

The World Sindhi Congress (WSC), which represents the interest of the Sindhi People, has formally asked the United Nations to send a fact-finding team to Pakistan to investigate the ongoing human rights violations in Sindh province of Pakistan and to clear the way for formal United Nations intervention in the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Sindh. Lakhu Luhana, the secretary general of London-based World Sindhi Congress said, "Sindhi people are currently facing the worst atrocities in their history. Enforced disappearances are occurring on an average of 10 persons per month, violence against religious minorities has reached unprecedented levels - in last 2 months 13 underage girls from the most vulnerable Sindhi Hindu community have been abducted and forcibly converted". He laid stress on an urgent visit of UN fact-finding mission to Sindh where the people are facing persecution in the hands of state agencies. Lakhu Luhana added, “The resources of Sindh, rather sustaining the life of Sindhi people, are being looted illegally and immorally. Sindhi people are not only dying of force-induced hunger and disease but now by enforced disappearances as well”. "Sindhi people seem to have no hope for any remedy or justice from the state of Pakistan and its institutions in spite of a continuous democratic struggle of decades. It is a critical situation requiring urgent international intervention. Therefore, Sindhi people request the UN to send a Fact-Finding Commission to Sindh to investigate and gather data and evidence of unprecedented onslaught on political, economic, social, cultural and human rights including the right to live of Sindhi people", said Lakhu Luhana who continues to highlight the atrocities of Sindhi people at the UN Human Rights Council Sessions in Geneva. On Friday in Karachi city - another NGO which highlights the plight of the minorities in Sindh the People’s Human Rights Organisations held a press conference to raise the issue of protection of minorities. Addressing the media Ihsan Ali, Chairman People’s Human Rights Organisation said Sindh government has failed to protect the human rights of the Hindu minority. Further, he added that unfortunately, the State was turning a blind eye to the people of Sindh especially the Hindu minority. Ihsan Ali said People’s Human Rights Organisation wants to share its apprehensions on the very disappointing situation for the Hindu community which has been subjected to untold misery in the two months of February and March 2019. The Sindh Assembly had unanimously passed the Sindh Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Bill 2015 on November 24. Under the bill, anyone found involved in a forced conversion could face a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison along with a fine. However, the bill was never implemented. The Pakistan People's Human Rights organisation expressed concern that if the bill to protect minorities was amended or abrogated under pressure from extremist religious parties, it would increase the sense of insecurity among non-Muslims, adding that the human rights situation for all minorities was very grave in Sindh.

United Nations intervention sought after deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistani province

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed controversial laws that allow courts to fine and briefly jail people for showing disrespect towards authorities, and block media for publishing "fake news".&nbsp;

Putin signed off on the legislation against the advice of human rights activists, who warned the laws amounted to censorship and would be abused to further crackdown on freedom of speech.

The law on disrespecting authorities backs punishment for "offending state symbols" and stipulates hefty fines and jail terms of 15 days for repeat offenders.

Another piece of legislation allows authorities to decide what amounts to "fake news" and gives a media watchdog the power to demand an outlet delete the information.

Websites that fail to comply would be blocked.

Fines could reach 1.5 million rubles (over $22,700) if the infraction leads to grave consequences like death or rioting.

Rights activists say that since first becoming president in 2000, Putin has gradually crushed freedoms in Russia, muzzling critics and bringing television under control.

The new legislation takes the crackdown on civil society to a whole new level, they say.

Critics say the legislation is vaguely worded and would have large scope for abuse, further complicating the difficult and sometimes deadly work of rights activists and opposition journalists in Russia.

The Kremlin is stepping up media control to counter a fall in Putin's approval rating amid mounting economic trouble, according to activists.&nbsp;

"These new prohibitions and punishments are not just a continuation of the repressive legislative and practical measures that began in 2012," Yuri Dzhibladze, president of the Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights, told AFP.

"This is a completely new level which almost literally repeats the Soviet-era law about 'activities undermining the Soviet system' and 'anti-Soviet campaigning and propaganda'."

The authorities unleashed a major crackdown on dissenters after Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 in the face of mass protests.

"From now it will be police that will decide what fake news is and what's not," said Alexander Cherkasov of Memorial, a top rights group.&nbsp;

"This will lead to a violation of civil rights and freedoms."

'Hating in silence'

Moscow on Monday marked the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation from Ukraine, a move condemned by the West but celebrated by most Russians.

Mikhail Fedotov, the chairman of the Kremlin's human rights' council, told AFP that the legislation had "numerous flaws" and his group had asked the president to reject it.

Even the usually pliant media criticised the new laws.

"Authorities want people to hate in silence," mass-circulation tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets wrote ahead of the signing last week.

"The authorities' desire to gag their subjects is a very old, shameful and meaningless desire."

In 2018, Putin was elected to a historic fourth term in office with a record vote share amid increasing international isolation.

But the 66-year-old Russian president's popularity ratings have taken a beating due to a controversial pension age hike and falling living standards as a result of tough Western sanctions over Ukraine and other crises.

Last month Russian lawmakers backed a bill that could cut off the country's internet traffic from servers abroad, which critics say is a possible step towards an isolated network like in North Korea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed controversial laws that allow courts to fine and briefly jail people for showing disrespect towards authorities, and block media for publishing "fake news".

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed controversial laws that allow courts to fine and briefly jail people for showing disrespect towards authorities, and block media for publishing "fake news". Putin signed off on the legislation against the advice of human rights activists, who warned the laws amounted to censorship and would be abused to further crackdown on freedom of speech. The law on disrespecting authorities backs punishment for "offending state symbols" and stipulates hefty fines and jail terms of 15 days for repeat offenders. Another piece of legislation allows authorities to decide what amounts to "fake news" and gives a media watchdog the power to demand an outlet delete the information. Websites that fail to comply would be blocked. Fines could reach 1.5 million rubles (over $22,700) if the infraction leads to grave consequences like death or rioting. Rights activists say that since first becoming president in 2000, Putin has gradually crushed freedoms in Russia, muzzling critics and bringing television under control. The new legislation takes the crackdown on civil society to a whole new level, they say. Critics say the legislation is vaguely worded and would have large scope for abuse, further complicating the difficult and sometimes deadly work of rights activists and opposition journalists in Russia. The Kremlin is stepping up media control to counter a fall in Putin's approval rating amid mounting economic trouble, according to activists. "These new prohibitions and punishments are not just a continuation of the repressive legislative and practical measures that began in 2012," Yuri Dzhibladze, president of the Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights, told AFP. "This is a completely new level which almost literally repeats the Soviet-era law about 'activities undermining the Soviet system' and 'anti-Soviet campaigning and propaganda'." The authorities unleashed a major crackdown on dissenters after Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 in the face of mass protests. "From now it will be police that will decide what fake news is and what's not," said Alexander Cherkasov of Memorial, a top rights group. "This will lead to a violation of civil rights and freedoms." 'Hating in silence' Moscow on Monday marked the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation from Ukraine, a move condemned by the West but celebrated by most Russians. Mikhail Fedotov, the chairman of the Kremlin's human rights' council, told AFP that the legislation had "numerous flaws" and his group had asked the president to reject it. Even the usually pliant media criticised the new laws. "Authorities want people to hate in silence," mass-circulation tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets wrote ahead of the signing last week. "The authorities' desire to gag their subjects is a very old, shameful and meaningless desire." In 2018, Putin was elected to a historic fourth term in office with a record vote share amid increasing international isolation. But the 66-year-old Russian president's popularity ratings have taken a beating due to a controversial pension age hike and falling living standards as a result of tough Western sanctions over Ukraine and other crises. Last month Russian lawmakers backed a bill that could cut off the country's internet traffic from servers abroad, which critics say is a possible step towards an isolated network like in North Korea.

Vladimir Putin signs laws against 'disrespecting' authorities, fake news

After China once again blocked a proposal in the UN Security Council to enlist Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist, human rights activists in Geneva on Wednesday (local time) hit out at Beijing for its "predictable" veto.

"China has been using Pakistan as a proxy land for a long time. This is a part of a long term desire and plan by China to completely occupy land resources and state institutions of Pakistan. Pakistani policymakers are not retrospecting about possible repercussions of its implications globally," Jamil Maqsood, a political activist from PoK told ANI.

He said that Chinese policy is "very damaging for international peace, regional peace and democratic aspirations of the people" in the region.Basheer Naveed, Head, International Human Rights Council, termed China's move as a "very sad situation" and "very shameful."

"It was expected that China will veto it and media reports had predicted that China will veto it. It is very sad to see that a person (Azhar) who hijacked a plane and is conducting terrorist attacks in neighbouring countries is being protected. Why is China so interested in him?" he told ANI.

Asserting that China is "very much afraid" of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, Naveed added, "They think these terrorist groups may be provided security to CPEC areas. This is the only reason which I see otherwise. What is the reason behind it? Is China an Islamic country or a fundamentalist country? They are always supporting Pakistan in this way."

"It is very shameful and condemnable. The people of Pakistan know how barbaric these terror outfits are and they know who is behind these terror attacks. It is a very sad situation for the people of Pakistan and in the region," he further said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Junaid Qureshi, a Kashmiri and director of the European Foundation of South Asian Studies (EFSAS) urged the international community to put pressure Pakistan to crack down on terrorists and their outfits operating in the country.

"This was expected. I was not expecting anything else. I did hope of a different outcome especially after the Pulwama attack in which every country in the world had condemned. No one condemned the aerial strike of India and actually said that India has a right to self-defence. I did feel that maybe China might support this one as it didn`t want to isolate itself," Qureshi told ANI.

He added, "The expectations were not very high. The reasons are very evident and obvious. China is building its CPEC through Pakistan. It cannot upset Pakistan and it needs Pakistan."

Hitting out at China for giving strange reasons not to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, the EFSAS director elaborated, "The Chinese diplomats said they cannot designate Masood Azhar as a terrorist because there is no consensus between India and Pakistan over him being a terrorist. It is very strange to look for consensus between a country which is supporting Masood Azhar and perpetrating attacks in India and between those who are attacking and those who are being attacked. That is impossible."

Qureshi expressed hope that the international community take cognisance over the issue and start condemning China, while adding that every country is backing Azhar`s name to be proscribed as a global terrorist."

More needs to be done. The international community should intervene in this and get Pakistan to do more and crack down on these terrorists instead of taking them into preventive custody and freeing them after six months. I don't think that will work," he further said.

Launching a scathing attack on China, Peer Riaz, a Pashtun activist said, "Both China and Pakistan are protecting themselves. They want to enter Gwadar. Their intention is that they want to completely change Pakistan`s geographical region. They are not concerned about Pakistan. They want to carry forward their expansionist policies."

"China is killing the Muslims residing there and are being detained at camps. Their policy has anti-Indian sentiment which is an extremely negative approach," he added.

This is the fourth time that China has used the technical hold to block the proposal, which is being pushed by other permanent members of the UNSC, particularly the US, Britain and France.

India expressed disappointment over the development but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice."

The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (1267 Sanctions Committee), upon completion of the no-objection period on 13 March 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold," said a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry.

The statement did not identify the "member" of the UNSC which put the proposal on hold but sources said it was China."

We are disappointed by this outcome. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organisation which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019," the MEA statement said.

"We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors," it added.

After China once again blocked a proposal in the UN Security Council to enlist Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist, human rights activists in Geneva on Wednesday (local time) hit out at Beijing for its "predictable" veto.

After China once again blocked a proposal in the UN Security Council to enlist Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist, human rights activists in Geneva on Wednesday (local time) hit out at Beijing for its "predictable" veto. "China has been using Pakistan as a proxy land for a long time. This is a part of a long term desire and plan by China to completely occupy land resources and state institutions of Pakistan. Pakistani policymakers are not retrospecting about possible repercussions of its implications globally," Jamil Maqsood, a political activist from PoK told ANI. He said that Chinese policy is "very damaging for international peace, regional peace and democratic aspirations of the people" in the region.Basheer Naveed, Head, International Human Rights Council, termed China's move as a "very sad situation" and "very shameful." "It was expected that China will veto it and media reports had predicted that China will veto it. It is very sad to see that a person (Azhar) who hijacked a plane and is conducting terrorist attacks in neighbouring countries is being protected. Why is China so interested in him?" he told ANI. Asserting that China is "very much afraid" of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, Naveed added, "They think these terrorist groups may be provided security to CPEC areas. This is the only reason which I see otherwise. What is the reason behind it? Is China an Islamic country or a fundamentalist country? They are always supporting Pakistan in this way." "It is very shameful and condemnable. The people of Pakistan know how barbaric these terror outfits are and they know who is behind these terror attacks. It is a very sad situation for the people of Pakistan and in the region," he further said. Echoing similar sentiments, Junaid Qureshi, a Kashmiri and director of the European Foundation of South Asian Studies (EFSAS) urged the international community to put pressure Pakistan to crack down on terrorists and their outfits operating in the country. "This was expected. I was not expecting anything else. I did hope of a different outcome especially after the Pulwama attack in which every country in the world had condemned. No one condemned the aerial strike of India and actually said that India has a right to self-defence. I did feel that maybe China might support this one as it didn`t want to isolate itself," Qureshi told ANI. He added, "The expectations were not very high. The reasons are very evident and obvious. China is building its CPEC through Pakistan. It cannot upset Pakistan and it needs Pakistan." Hitting out at China for giving strange reasons not to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, the EFSAS director elaborated, "The Chinese diplomats said they cannot designate Masood Azhar as a terrorist because there is no consensus between India and Pakistan over him being a terrorist. It is very strange to look for consensus between a country which is supporting Masood Azhar and perpetrating attacks in India and between those who are attacking and those who are being attacked. That is impossible." Qureshi expressed hope that the international community take cognisance over the issue and start condemning China, while adding that every country is backing Azhar`s name to be proscribed as a global terrorist." More needs to be done. The international community should intervene in this and get Pakistan to do more and crack down on these terrorists instead of taking them into preventive custody and freeing them after six months. I don't think that will work," he further said. Launching a scathing attack on China, Peer Riaz, a Pashtun activist said, "Both China and Pakistan are protecting themselves. They want to enter Gwadar. Their intention is that they want to completely change Pakistan`s geographical region. They are not concerned about Pakistan. They want to carry forward their expansionist policies." "China is killing the Muslims residing there and are being detained at camps. Their policy has anti-Indian sentiment which is an extremely negative approach," he added. This is the fourth time that China has used the technical hold to block the proposal, which is being pushed by other permanent members of the UNSC, particularly the US, Britain and France. India expressed disappointment over the development but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice." The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (1267 Sanctions Committee), upon completion of the no-objection period on 13 March 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold," said a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry. The statement did not identify the "member" of the UNSC which put the proposal on hold but sources said it was China." We are disappointed by this outcome. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organisation which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019," the MEA statement said. "We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors," it added.

Human rights activists slam China for blocking JeM chief's listing as global terrorist

Officials from the International Criminal Court are in Bangladesh as part of a preliminary examination of whether a prosecution over the alleged deportations of Rohingya could be mounted, a UN human rights investigator said on Monday.

"I am very hopeful. This is something that was unprecedented. It is a tiny step forward but I really do wish that this would open the floodgates (of justice)," said Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur into human rights in Myanmar, adding that the ICC team were not interviewing victims.

Last September the ICC prosecutor opened a preliminary examination into whether alleged forced deportations of Rohingya from Myanmar could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. Bangladesh is a member of the court, although Myanmar is not and rejects its jurisdiction.

Officials from the International Criminal Court are in Bangladesh as part of a preliminary examination of whether a prosecution over the alleged deportations of Rohingya could be mounted, a UN human rights investigator said on Monday.

Officials from the International Criminal Court are in Bangladesh as part of a preliminary examination of whether a prosecution over the alleged deportations of Rohingya could be mounted, a UN human rights investigator said on Monday. "I am very hopeful. This is something that was unprecedented. It is a tiny step forward but I really do wish that this would open the floodgates (of justice)," said Yanghee Lee, the UN Special Rapporteur into human rights in Myanmar, adding that the ICC team were not interviewing victims. Last September the ICC prosecutor opened a preliminary examination into whether alleged forced deportations of Rohingya from Myanmar could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. Bangladesh is a member of the court, although Myanmar is not and rejects its jurisdiction.

International Criminal Court officials visit Bangladesh to look into Myanmar case: United Nations investigator

Social media firms and foreign investors must do more to ensure they support human rights in Myanmar, UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Tuesday, suggesting Facebook was failing to treat parties to the country's conflict even-handedly.

Myanmar has been trying to attract foreign investors and divert attention from 730,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled the country since 2017. A UN inquiry blamed the exodus on a military campaign with "genocidal intent", which the government denies.

Facebook said this month it had banned four insurgent groups fighting Myanmar's military after it was criticised for not doing enough to block content fuelling the conflict. Lee said she was concerned that Facebook had not banned Myanmar's army and allied armed groups as well.

"Contrary to achieving the stated aim of decreasing tensions, this selective banning may contribute to feelings of inequality by ethnic minorities," Lee said in a report she will present to the UN Human Rights Council on March 11.

"Public institutions linked to the military, its supporters, extremist religious groups and members of the government continue to proliferate hate speech and misinformation on Facebook."

Investigations

The company said it had taken steps to ban "hate figures, hate organisations and military officials" from Facebook in Myanmar. Its investigations were ongoing and not limited to the four groups it had blacklisted.

"We don't want anyone to use Facebook to incite or promote violence, no matter who they are," it said in a statement.

Lee's report did not detail the steps taken by other social media firms. But it aims to ensure platforms "including Facebook and Twitter" respect human rights and do due diligence to "fully understand the Myanmar context and act responsibly".

Twitter, which prohibits account holders from expressing hate or making threats of violence towards a person or group, declined to comment specifically on Myanmar.

Myanmar denies allegations of mass killings and rape and says its military offensive was a legitimate response to an insurgent threat and that it is welcoming the refugees back.

The government has refused to let Lee in and rejected a request to visit in January, saying her reports invariably lacked impartiality.

Last week Kyaw Tin, Myanmar's Minister for International Cooperation, told the council human rights must be understood in historical and cultural contexts and regretted the world's focus on Rakhine State, from where the Rohingya fled.

Lee's report also examined Myanmar's mining industry.

"Unchecked extraction" of resources brought militarisation and associated abuses such as rape and forced labour, it said.

Fresh sanctions should be considered on two military-run conglomerates, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), Lee said.

Social media firms and foreign investors must do more to ensure they support human rights in Myanmar, UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Tuesday, suggesting Facebook was failing to treat parties to the country's conflict even-handedly.

Social media firms and foreign investors must do more to ensure they support human rights in Myanmar, UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Tuesday, suggesting Facebook was failing to treat parties to the country's conflict even-handedly. Myanmar has been trying to attract foreign investors and divert attention from 730,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled the country since 2017. A UN inquiry blamed the exodus on a military campaign with "genocidal intent", which the government denies. Facebook said this month it had banned four insurgent groups fighting Myanmar's military after it was criticised for not doing enough to block content fuelling the conflict. Lee said she was concerned that Facebook had not banned Myanmar's army and allied armed groups as well. "Contrary to achieving the stated aim of decreasing tensions, this selective banning may contribute to feelings of inequality by ethnic minorities," Lee said in a report she will present to the UN Human Rights Council on March 11. "Public institutions linked to the military, its supporters, extremist religious groups and members of the government continue to proliferate hate speech and misinformation on Facebook." Investigations The company said it had taken steps to ban "hate figures, hate organisations and military officials" from Facebook in Myanmar. Its investigations were ongoing and not limited to the four groups it had blacklisted. "We don't want anyone to use Facebook to incite or promote violence, no matter who they are," it said in a statement. Lee's report did not detail the steps taken by other social media firms. But it aims to ensure platforms "including Facebook and Twitter" respect human rights and do due diligence to "fully understand the Myanmar context and act responsibly". Twitter, which prohibits account holders from expressing hate or making threats of violence towards a person or group, declined to comment specifically on Myanmar. Myanmar denies allegations of mass killings and rape and says its military offensive was a legitimate response to an insurgent threat and that it is welcoming the refugees back. The government has refused to let Lee in and rejected a request to visit in January, saying her reports invariably lacked impartiality. Last week Kyaw Tin, Myanmar's Minister for International Cooperation, told the council human rights must be understood in historical and cultural contexts and regretted the world's focus on Rakhine State, from where the Rohingya fled. Lee's report also examined Myanmar's mining industry. "Unchecked extraction" of resources brought militarisation and associated abuses such as rape and forced labour, it said. Fresh sanctions should be considered on two military-run conglomerates, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), Lee said.

United Nations urges social media, investors to promote human rights in Myanmar

Indonesia's communications ministry said on Wednesday that Instagram had taken down an account displaying comic strips depicting the struggles faced by gay Muslim men after authorities labelled it "pornographic".

The ministry said in a statement that it had requested the removal of the account, under the name @Alpantuni, because it breached regulations.

The action is the latest example of government and public hostility towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.

Communications Minister Rudiantara had earlier warned that Instagram could be blocked in Indonesia if the account was not removed.

"Materials promoting LGBT are against health rules, religious rules and cultural norms. It is not in accordance with Indonesia," the minister told CNN Indonesia.

The comic strips reviewed by Reuters before they were taken down portrayed a young gay man from a religious Indonesian family struggling with his identity.

They included an image of two men in bed and the main protagonist later being bullied over his sexuality. The account had more than 6,000 followers.

Andreas Harsono, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said Instagram should have defended its own community guidelines.

"Instagram should have not removed that account. It's a healthy comic on the daily struggle of being a gay in Indonesia, how they're facing social pressures, fearing arrests, and nervous about having their houses raided," he told Reuters.

Instagram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Indonesia's communications ministry said on Wednesday that Instagram had taken down an account displaying comic strips depicting the struggles faced by gay Muslim men after authorities labelled it "pornographic".

Indonesia's communications ministry said on Wednesday that Instagram had taken down an account displaying comic strips depicting the struggles faced by gay Muslim men after authorities labelled it "pornographic". The ministry said in a statement that it had requested the removal of the account, under the name @Alpantuni, because it breached regulations. The action is the latest example of government and public hostility towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. Communications Minister Rudiantara had earlier warned that Instagram could be blocked in Indonesia if the account was not removed. "Materials promoting LGBT are against health rules, religious rules and cultural norms. It is not in accordance with Indonesia," the minister told CNN Indonesia. The comic strips reviewed by Reuters before they were taken down portrayed a young gay man from a religious Indonesian family struggling with his identity. They included an image of two men in bed and the main protagonist later being bullied over his sexuality. The account had more than 6,000 followers. Andreas Harsono, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said Instagram should have defended its own community guidelines. "Instagram should have not removed that account. It's a healthy comic on the daily struggle of being a gay in Indonesia, how they're facing social pressures, fearing arrests, and nervous about having their houses raided," he told Reuters. Instagram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Instagram deletes gay Muslim comic strips after pressure from Indonesian authorities

The foreign minister of Bangladesh on Sunday warned that a prolonged<a href="http://13.232.42.114/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-urges-india-china-japan-russia-to-help-in-resolving-rohingya-crises-134199"> Rohingya crisis</a> encouraged the formation of pockets of radicalism that could destabilize the entire South Asian region.

AK Abdul Momen, speaking at a seminar on "Bangladesh and Human Rights" in Dhaka, said<a href="http://13.232.42.114/south-asia/indonesia-president-called-for-quick-peaceful-solution-to-rohingya-crises-31066"> Rohingya refugees in the country</a> needed to be sent home at the earliest, with safety and security.

"My fear is that, if this (Rohingya) problem lingers for a longer time, it may encourage creating pockets of radicalism and that may create problems of uncertainty and instability not only for Myanmar and Bangladesh but for the entire region," Momen said.

"Therefore, Rohingya must go back to their homes, earliest the better. The global leadership must come forward to resolve this crisis at its root, not in Bangladesh," he said.

Momen, a former Bangladesh permanent representative in the United Nations, who became the foreign minister after a new government in took charge in January, said if Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had not sheltered the Rohingyas "it would end up in the gravest and worst genocide of the century since World War II."

"Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, by allowing (in) the persecuted people of Rakhine province of Myanmar, has saved the face of global leaders from ignominy and disgrace," he said.

Rohingyas are ethnic Muslim minority members concentrated in Rakhine State, and whom the Myanmar government refuses to recognize as citizens and allow basic rights.

More than 738,000 Rohingya refugees have arrived in Cox's Bazar since the beginning of the crisis on August 25, 2017, following a wave of persecution and violence in Myanmar that the UN described as an attempt at "ethnic cleansing".

The majority of Rohingyas - more than 620,000 people - live in just one area, Kutupalong, the largest refugee settlement anywhere in the world today.

"They need to be repatriated with safety and security at the earliest. Their exodus was created by Myanmar and it is their responsibility to solve it," said the minister.

The first phase of Rohingyas' voluntary repatriation to Myanmar was due to begin in November last year, as per an agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar on November 23, 2017.&nbsp;

The foreign minister of Bangladesh on Sunday warned that a prolonged Rohingya crisis encouraged the formation of pockets of radicalism that could destabilize the entire South Asian region.

The foreign minister of Bangladesh on Sunday warned that a prolonged Rohingya crisis encouraged the formation of pockets of radicalism that could destabilize the entire South Asian region. AK Abdul Momen, speaking at a seminar on "Bangladesh and Human Rights" in Dhaka, said Rohingya refugees in the country needed to be sent home at the earliest, with safety and security. "My fear is that, if this (Rohingya) problem lingers for a longer time, it may encourage creating pockets of radicalism and that may create problems of uncertainty and instability not only for Myanmar and Bangladesh but for the entire region," Momen said. "Therefore, Rohingya must go back to their homes, earliest the better. The global leadership must come forward to resolve this crisis at its root, not in Bangladesh," he said. Momen, a former Bangladesh permanent representative in the United Nations, who became the foreign minister after a new government in took charge in January, said if Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had not sheltered the Rohingyas "it would end up in the gravest and worst genocide of the century since World War II." "Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, by allowing (in) the persecuted people of Rakhine province of Myanmar, has saved the face of global leaders from ignominy and disgrace," he said. Rohingyas are ethnic Muslim minority members concentrated in Rakhine State, and whom the Myanmar government refuses to recognize as citizens and allow basic rights. More than 738,000 Rohingya refugees have arrived in Cox's Bazar since the beginning of the crisis on August 25, 2017, following a wave of persecution and violence in Myanmar that the UN described as an attempt at "ethnic cleansing". The majority of Rohingyas - more than 620,000 people - live in just one area, Kutupalong, the largest refugee settlement anywhere in the world today. "They need to be repatriated with safety and security at the earliest. Their exodus was created by Myanmar and it is their responsibility to solve it," said the minister. The first phase of Rohingyas' voluntary repatriation to Myanmar was due to begin in November last year, as per an agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar on November 23, 2017.

Bangladesh fears lingering Rohingya crisis may trigger radicalism

Myanmar's government under Nobel laureate <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uk-calls-on-myanmars-suu-kyi-to-take-personal-interest-in-case-of-jailed-reuters-reporters-189584">Aung San Suu Kyi </a>has used repressive laws to prosecute peaceful critics, dashing hopes that its first democratic leader in decades would safeguard free speech, Human Rights Watch said on Friday.

Freedom of expression has been deteriorating since her administration came to power in 2016, with prosecutions creating a "climate of fear" among journalists, the rights group said in its report, "Dashed Hopes: The Criminalization of Peaceful Expression in Myanmar".

"Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy promised a new Myanmar but the government still prosecutes peaceful speech and protests and has failed to revise old oppressive laws," Linda Lakhdhir, Asia legal adviser at Human Rights Watch and the report's author, said in a statement.

A government spokesman could not be reached for comment.

The military governments that ruled Myanmar for decades placed severe restrictions on free speech. Reforms undertaken by the quasi-civilian administration that came to power in 2010, including the abolition of censorship, had "positive implications for speech and assembly", HRW said.

However, the Suu Kyi-led government had made "only marginal changes" to oppressive legislation and continued to use "overly broad, vague, and abusive laws" to prosecute peaceful speech and assembly, it said.

Myanmar free speech group Athan, whose report was quoted by HRW, said some 140 cases had been filed since 2016 under the Telecommunications Act, at least half of which involved prosecution for peaceful speech.

Parliament made some amendments to section 66(d) of the act, which punishes anyone who "defames" someone using a telecommunications network with up to two years in prison but rejected calls to repeal the provision.

Reporters were especially vulnerable to prosecution and attacks, HRW said, with threats coming from authorities as well as nationalists and militant supporters of the government or army.

"The result has been a climate of fear among local journalists," the HRW report said.

Laws criminalising defamation, the Official Secrets Act, the Unlawful Associations Act, the 1934 Aircraft Act, and section 131 of the Myanmar Penal Code have all been used against journalists in recent years.

Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were sentenced to seven years in prison in September 2018 under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. They had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in Rakhine state.

"Aung San Suu Kyi's government has had a real opportunity to abolish the tools of oppression used by the military juntas, but has instead used them against peaceful critics and protesters,” Lakhdhir said.

"It's not too late to reverse course and take steps to fully protect speech and assembly in Myanmar," she said.

Myanmar's government under Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has used repressive laws to prosecute peaceful critics, dashing hopes that its first democratic leader in decades would safeguard free speech, Human Rights Watch said on Friday.

Myanmar's government under Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has used repressive laws to prosecute peaceful critics, dashing hopes that its first democratic leader in decades would safeguard free speech, Human Rights Watch said on Friday. Freedom of expression has been deteriorating since her administration came to power in 2016, with prosecutions creating a "climate of fear" among journalists, the rights group said in its report, "Dashed Hopes: The Criminalization of Peaceful Expression in Myanmar". "Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy promised a new Myanmar but the government still prosecutes peaceful speech and protests and has failed to revise old oppressive laws," Linda Lakhdhir, Asia legal adviser at Human Rights Watch and the report's author, said in a statement. A government spokesman could not be reached for comment. The military governments that ruled Myanmar for decades placed severe restrictions on free speech. Reforms undertaken by the quasi-civilian administration that came to power in 2010, including the abolition of censorship, had "positive implications for speech and assembly", HRW said. However, the Suu Kyi-led government had made "only marginal changes" to oppressive legislation and continued to use "overly broad, vague, and abusive laws" to prosecute peaceful speech and assembly, it said. Myanmar free speech group Athan, whose report was quoted by HRW, said some 140 cases had been filed since 2016 under the Telecommunications Act, at least half of which involved prosecution for peaceful speech. Parliament made some amendments to section 66(d) of the act, which punishes anyone who "defames" someone using a telecommunications network with up to two years in prison but rejected calls to repeal the provision. Reporters were especially vulnerable to prosecution and attacks, HRW said, with threats coming from authorities as well as nationalists and militant supporters of the government or army. "The result has been a climate of fear among local journalists," the HRW report said. Laws criminalising defamation, the Official Secrets Act, the Unlawful Associations Act, the 1934 Aircraft Act, and section 131 of the Myanmar Penal Code have all been used against journalists in recent years. Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were sentenced to seven years in prison in September 2018 under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. They had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys in Rakhine state. "Aung San Suu Kyi's government has had a real opportunity to abolish the tools of oppression used by the military juntas, but has instead used them against peaceful critics and protesters,” Lakhdhir said. "It's not too late to reverse course and take steps to fully protect speech and assembly in Myanmar," she said.

Human Rights watch says Myanmar government using ‘abusive laws’ to punish critics

Pakistani activist Sheema Kermani organizes dance and song to highlight women's rights, human rights

The Angolan parliament has, for the first time since its independence from Portugal, approved a new criminal code that does not punish relations between people of the same sex and decriminalizes abortion in specific cases, an international human rights group reported on Thursday.

The old criminal code, adopted in 1886 and left unaltered after the African country's <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/rakhine-rebels-kill-13-in-independence-day-attack-on-myanmar-police-posts-188495&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj_r4mXhYjgAhUKK48KHfOpDpAQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1NwD-ZYm-JNcyDabKgZ088">independence </a>in 1975, established jail sentences ranging from six months to three years for the ambiguous offence of "vices against nature," which has been widely interpreted to constitute a 'de facto' ban on homosexual conduct.

The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch, headquartered in<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/alec-baldwin-in-new-york-court-for-hearing-on-parking-spot-dispute-192400&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjPjdL-hIjgAhXMPI8KHZ_yBN0QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2HurJafeNcYhLSsbwzGATC"> New York City</a>, praised the move by Angolan lawmakers in a statement.

"In casting aside this archaic and insidious relic of the colonial past, Angola has eschewed discrimination and embraced equality," HRW said in a statement signed by the director of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights program, Graeme Reid.

Reid added that the Angolan government had also prohibited discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation, making it a felony – punishable with up to two years in prison – to refuse to employ or provide services to individuals because of their sexuality.&nbsp;

The changes were officially enacted on Wednesday through the adoption of the new penal code, which had been 10 years in the making.

"While there have been no known prosecutions under the law, provisions like this one curtail the rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, subjecting their intimate lives to unwarranted scrutiny," Reid explained, in reference to the old statute.

He added that colonial-era laws outlawing same-sex conduct provided tacit support to discrimination against gender and sexual minorities, which in turn contributed to a climate of impunity.

Reid cited the West African country's only LGBT rights lobby, Iris Angola, which he said had "often complained that its members face discrimination when accessing health care and education."&nbsp;

On the other hand, Angola has also decriminalized abortion in concrete instances such as a grave threat to the health or life of the mother or the fetus and for victims of rape.

In all other instances, aborting remains a crime punishable with between 2-10 years' imprisonment.

A previous draft of the bill had even considered allowing unrestricted abortions during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

The debate on abortion was one of the most contentious aspects of the penal reform, and the lack of support for it by the largest opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), prevented the law from being approved in the previous legislature, which ended in 2017.

The controversy surrounding abortion in Angola can be explained by its overwhelmingly Christian population, with over half the country estimated to be Catholic and about a quarter belonging to various Protestant congregations, although accurate statistics are non-existent.&nbsp;

The new code also raises the maximum prison term from 24 to 35 years and limits monetary transactions to 8,500 euros ($9,603) for citizens and 14,000 euros for businesses with the goal of preventing the flight of capital outside the Angolan financial system.

The Angolan parliament has, for the first time since its independence from Portugal, approved a new criminal code that does not punish relations between people of the same sex and decriminalizes abortion in specific cases, an international human rights group reported on Thursday.

The Angolan parliament has, for the first time since its independence from Portugal, approved a new criminal code that does not punish relations between people of the same sex and decriminalizes abortion in specific cases, an international human rights group reported on Thursday. The old criminal code, adopted in 1886 and left unaltered after the African country's independence in 1975, established jail sentences ranging from six months to three years for the ambiguous offence of "vices against nature," which has been widely interpreted to constitute a 'de facto' ban on homosexual conduct. The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch, headquartered in New York City, praised the move by Angolan lawmakers in a statement. "In casting aside this archaic and insidious relic of the colonial past, Angola has eschewed discrimination and embraced equality," HRW said in a statement signed by the director of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights program, Graeme Reid. Reid added that the Angolan government had also prohibited discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation, making it a felony – punishable with up to two years in prison – to refuse to employ or provide services to individuals because of their sexuality. The changes were officially enacted on Wednesday through the adoption of the new penal code, which had been 10 years in the making. "While there have been no known prosecutions under the law, provisions like this one curtail the rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, subjecting their intimate lives to unwarranted scrutiny," Reid explained, in reference to the old statute. He added that colonial-era laws outlawing same-sex conduct provided tacit support to discrimination against gender and sexual minorities, which in turn contributed to a climate of impunity. Reid cited the West African country's only LGBT rights lobby, Iris Angola, which he said had "often complained that its members face discrimination when accessing health care and education." On the other hand, Angola has also decriminalized abortion in concrete instances such as a grave threat to the health or life of the mother or the fetus and for victims of rape. In all other instances, aborting remains a crime punishable with between 2-10 years' imprisonment. A previous draft of the bill had even considered allowing unrestricted abortions during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The debate on abortion was one of the most contentious aspects of the penal reform, and the lack of support for it by the largest opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), prevented the law from being approved in the previous legislature, which ended in 2017. The controversy surrounding abortion in Angola can be explained by its overwhelmingly Christian population, with over half the country estimated to be Catholic and about a quarter belonging to various Protestant congregations, although accurate statistics are non-existent. The new code also raises the maximum prison term from 24 to 35 years and limits monetary transactions to 8,500 euros ($9,603) for citizens and 14,000 euros for businesses with the goal of preventing the flight of capital outside the Angolan financial system.

Angola decriminalizes same-sex relations, allows abortion in certain cases

The EU said Sunday that "doubts remain" over the result of the DR Congo's disputed election, after the country's highest court declared Felix Tshisekedi president, outraging opponents.

With fears running high that the poll dispute could plunge the perennially unstable central African nation into fresh turmoil, an EU spokeswoman pleaded for all sides to refrain from "any action that could lead to violence".

DR Congo's constitutional court threw out a legal challenge by runner-up Martin Fayulu early Sunday, paving the way for Tshisekedi to take over from long-ruling strongman Joseph Kabila.

"We take note of the announcement by the Constitutional Court last night," an EU spokeswoman said.

"As expressed by the AU (African Union) high-level consultative meeting on Thursday in Addis, doubts remain regarding the conformity of the result," she added.

The AU's chairman, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, is due in Kinshasa on Monday, and the EU called on all parties to cooperate with his mission.

The AU had called for the final results to be delayed. But another regional bloc, the 16-nation Southern African Development Community, congratulated Tshisekedi on Sunday and called for a peaceful handover of power.

Tshisekedi's victory was provisionally announced earlier this month by the election commission CENI, but it was challenged both at home and abroad.

The Financial Times and other foreign media have reported seeing documents that confirm Fayulu as the winner, and the influential Roman Catholic Church, which says it deployed 40,000 observers to monitor the poll, has also dismissed the official outcome.

The EU said Sunday that "doubts remain" over the result of the DR Congo's disputed election, after the country's highest court declared Felix Tshisekedi president, outraging opponents.

The EU said Sunday that "doubts remain" over the result of the DR Congo's disputed election, after the country's highest court declared Felix Tshisekedi president, outraging opponents. With fears running high that the poll dispute could plunge the perennially unstable central African nation into fresh turmoil, an EU spokeswoman pleaded for all sides to refrain from "any action that could lead to violence". DR Congo's constitutional court threw out a legal challenge by runner-up Martin Fayulu early Sunday, paving the way for Tshisekedi to take over from long-ruling strongman Joseph Kabila. "We take note of the announcement by the Constitutional Court last night," an EU spokeswoman said. "As expressed by the AU (African Union) high-level consultative meeting on Thursday in Addis, doubts remain regarding the conformity of the result," she added. The AU's chairman, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, is due in Kinshasa on Monday, and the EU called on all parties to cooperate with his mission. The AU had called for the final results to be delayed. But another regional bloc, the 16-nation Southern African Development Community, congratulated Tshisekedi on Sunday and called for a peaceful handover of power. Tshisekedi's victory was provisionally announced earlier this month by the election commission CENI, but it was challenged both at home and abroad. The Financial Times and other foreign media have reported seeing documents that confirm Fayulu as the winner, and the influential Roman Catholic Church, which says it deployed 40,000 observers to monitor the poll, has also dismissed the official outcome.

European Union says 'doubts remain' over DR Congo election result

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