Human rights and aid organisations on Monday appealed to United Nations member states to oust Russia from the Human Rights Council over its participation in bombing Syria.&nbsp;

More than 80 rights and aid agencies; including Human Rights Watch, CARE International and Refugees International were among the groups appealing for removing Russia from the council.

The organisations asked the 47 member states to &quot;question seriously whether Russia&#39;s role in Syria -- which includes supporting and undertaking military actions which have routinely targeted civilians and civilian objects -- renders it fit to serve on the UN&#39;s premier inter-governmental human rights institution,&quot; AFP reported.&nbsp;

The agencies appeal comes ahead of elections to fill up the 14 seats in the council.

On Friday, the UN General Assembly will be voting members for the 2017 term. Russia, Hungary and Croatia will be running for the Eastern European group&#39;s seats.&nbsp;

China and Saudi Arabia are also likely to win seats as according to their regional area, four countries will be vying for four seats. Iraq and Japan are the other two countries.&nbsp;

While Brazil, Cuba and Guatemala will be competing for two seats designated for Latin America.&nbsp;

Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia are also set to win seats for Africa. The US and Britain want the two seats for Western Europe.&nbsp;

The call for Russia&#39;s removal comes in after Moscow&#39;s continuous onslaught on the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite global condemnation.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

 
&nbsp;

More than 80 rights and aid agencies; including Human Rights Watch, CARE International and Refugees International signed for Russia's removal

Human rights and aid organisations on Monday appealed to United Nations member states to oust Russia from the Human Rights Council over its participation in bombing Syria. More than 80 rights and aid agencies; including Human Rights Watch, CARE International and Refugees International were among the groups appealing for removing Russia from the council. The organisations asked the 47 member states to "question seriously whether Russia's role in Syria -- which includes supporting and undertaking military actions which have routinely targeted civilians and civilian objects -- renders it fit to serve on the UN's premier inter-governmental human rights institution," AFP reported. The agencies appeal comes ahead of elections to fill up the 14 seats in the council. On Friday, the UN General Assembly will be voting members for the 2017 term. Russia, Hungary and Croatia will be running for the Eastern European group's seats. China and Saudi Arabia are also likely to win seats as according to their regional area, four countries will be vying for four seats. Iraq and Japan are the other two countries. While Brazil, Cuba and Guatemala will be competing for two seats designated for Latin America. Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia are also set to win seats for Africa. The US and Britain want the two seats for Western Europe. The call for Russia's removal comes in after Moscow's continuous onslaught on the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite global condemnation. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Rights organisations seek to oust Russia from Human Rights Council

Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the United Nations, India today accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). 
 
In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, India said the main reason for the the disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. 
 
Pakistan&#39;s dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross- border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure, and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, India&#39;s ambassador and permanent representative at the UN, Ajit Kumar said. 
 
India&#39;s credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, Kumar said. 
 
Exercising its right of reply to the statement made by Pakistan, Kumar said Pakistan is a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. 
 
&quot;The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistan&#39;s control. 
 
&quot;Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights. 
 
&quot;J&amp;K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J&amp;K,&quot; he said. 
 
In a no-holds-barred offensive, India said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people. 
 
&quot;Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN- designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year,&quot; Kumar added. 
 
India strongly rejects Pakistan&#39;s continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the Indian state of J&amp;K, the ambassador said. 
 
&quot;This stems from Pakistan&#39;s territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in J&amp;K,&quot; he said. 
 
Reiterating that the situation in the Valley arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen terror group, India said it was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. 
 
Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances.&nbsp; 
 
Kumar asserted that India has a robust institutional framework to ensure adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the people in J&amp;K, including independent judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media. 
 
In contrast, the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan&#39;s authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights, he added. 
 
Emphasising that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial observer. 
 
&quot;The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft. 
 
&quot;The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan?s actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves,&quot; the Indian envoy added. 
 
&quot;The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror,&quot; he said. 
 
The envoy also said that it will be in the fitness of things if instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere, Pakistan were to focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 
 
It must also take action against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region - could be addressed effectively, he added. 
 
(PTI)

India said the main reason for the the disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan

Raising the issue of Balochistan for the first time before the United Nations, India today accused Pakistan of widespread human rights violations there as well as in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In a scathing attack on Pakistan during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, India said the main reason for the the disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan that stems from its territorial ambitions over the place that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan's dismal track record is well known and many countries have repeatedly called upon Pakistan to end cross- border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure, and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism, India's ambassador and permanent representative at the UN, Ajit Kumar said. India's credentials as a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic society that is deeply committed to the welfare of its people are well established and on the contrary, Pakistan is characterised by authoritarianism, absence of democratic norms and widespread human rights violations across the country including Balochistan, Kumar said. Exercising its right of reply to the statement made by Pakistan, Kumar said Pakistan is a country, which has systematically abused and violated the human rights of its own citizens, including in Balochistan, as well as of the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. "The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is the cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan which has provided active support since 1989 to separatist groups and terrorist elements including those operating from the territory under Pakistan's control. "Pakistan has once again sought to mask its territorial ambitions and use of terrorism as a state policy under the garb of concern for human rights. "J&K is an integral part of India and will always remain so. We reject attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of J&K," he said. In a no-holds-barred offensive, India said while advocating restraint to others, Pakistan has no hesitation in using air power against its own people. "Pakistan also continues to provide sanctuary to UN- designated terrorists. It was, therefore, no surprise that Pakistan failed to convince the international community to secure the membership of the Human Rights Council last year," Kumar added. India strongly rejects Pakistan's continued misuse of the Council to make tendentious references about internal matters pertaining to the Indian state of J&K, the ambassador said. "This stems from Pakistan's territorial ambitions over Kashmir that has found concrete expression in repeated armed aggressions. Pakistan continues to be in illegal occupation of a large part of territory in J&K," he said. Reiterating that the situation in the Valley arose from the death of a self-acknowledged commander of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen terror group, India said it was further aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Kumar said the high number of causalities sustained by Indian security forces is a reflection of the tremendous restraint they have displayed in difficult circumstances. Kumar asserted that India has a robust institutional framework to ensure adherence to rule of law and respect for fundamental rights of the people in J&K, including independent judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free and vocal media. In contrast, the people of Pakistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship due to Pakistan's authoritarian and discriminatory policies in complete disregard of human rights, he added. Emphasising that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial observer. "The heart of the matter is that we are dealing with a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft. "The world watches with concern as the consequences of Pakistan?s actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour. All of us stand prepared to help, if only the creators of this monster wake up to the dangers of what they have done to themselves," the Indian envoy added. "The institutions of governance in Pakistan have corroded to such an extent that it has become a hub for the global export of terror," he said. The envoy also said that it will be in the fitness of things if instead of ritually raking up alleged human rights violations elsewhere, Pakistan were to focus its energies on improving human rights situation within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It must also take action against the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on its neighbours who are roaming freely in Pakistan with impunity, so that terrorism emanating from Pakistan - the gravest risk for peace and stability of the region - could be addressed effectively, he added. (PTI)

India raises Balochistan for first time at UN, lashes out at Pak

Sri Lanka intends to become completely demilitarised by 2018, the government said today, a significant announcement that will end the army&#39;s involvement in civilian life after decades of ethnic war. 
 
Heavy deployments from the Sri Lankan army have remained in former war zones in the island&#39;s north and east since a 37-year conflict with Tamil separatists ended in May 2009. 
 
The military is also deeply involved in private enterprise, running everything from beauty parlours to businesses selling vegetables and fish, in competition with small-scale vendors. 
 
&quot;By 2018, we hope to complete the demilitarisation process, not only in the north-east, but the rest of the country too,&quot; foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera told reporters in Colombo. 
 
&quot;We have also asked the military to disengage from all commercial activities they are engaged in,&quot; Samaraweera said. 
 
The UN Human Rights Council has repeatedly asked Sri Lanka to reduce the military&#39;s involvement in civilian life and restore normality to the war-torn regions. 
 
At least 100,000 people died in Sri Lanka`s drawn-out separatist campaign, led by Tamil Tiger rebels who fought for an independent state within the majority Sinhalese island. 
 
After the war ended, former president Mahinda Rajapakse deployed the army to operate luxury hotels, restaurants, farms and engage in retail. 
 
The move forced many small-scale vendors out of business, while the Sri Lankan airforce ran a beauty parlour offering cheaper services that undercut private barbers. 
 
Samaraweera said the military had already given up some of the businesses they were engaged in, adding that there would be a complete disengagement by 2018. 
 
He added that the government has replaced former military top brass with civilian governors in two embattled provinces.&nbsp; 
 
The government has begun a process of handing back some military-occupied land to its original owners. 
 
It is also making efforts to trace thousands of people who went missing during and after the war and pay reparations to victims of the conflict. 
 
Sri Lanka&#39;s government has been praised for agreeing to investigate allegations that up to 40,000 ethnic Tamils were killed by troops in the final months of fighting in 2009. 
 
However, its slow progress on probing the deaths has also drawn criticism. 
 
(AFP)

The military also competes against small-scale vendors of private enterprise, from beauty parlours to businesses selling vegetables and fish

Sri Lanka intends to become completely demilitarised by 2018, the government said today, a significant announcement that will end the army's involvement in civilian life after decades of ethnic war. Heavy deployments from the Sri Lankan army have remained in former war zones in the island's north and east since a 37-year conflict with Tamil separatists ended in May 2009. The military is also deeply involved in private enterprise, running everything from beauty parlours to businesses selling vegetables and fish, in competition with small-scale vendors. "By 2018, we hope to complete the demilitarisation process, not only in the north-east, but the rest of the country too," foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera told reporters in Colombo. "We have also asked the military to disengage from all commercial activities they are engaged in," Samaraweera said. The UN Human Rights Council has repeatedly asked Sri Lanka to reduce the military's involvement in civilian life and restore normality to the war-torn regions. At least 100,000 people died in Sri Lanka`s drawn-out separatist campaign, led by Tamil Tiger rebels who fought for an independent state within the majority Sinhalese island. After the war ended, former president Mahinda Rajapakse deployed the army to operate luxury hotels, restaurants, farms and engage in retail. The move forced many small-scale vendors out of business, while the Sri Lankan airforce ran a beauty parlour offering cheaper services that undercut private barbers. Samaraweera said the military had already given up some of the businesses they were engaged in, adding that there would be a complete disengagement by 2018. He added that the government has replaced former military top brass with civilian governors in two embattled provinces. The government has begun a process of handing back some military-occupied land to its original owners. It is also making efforts to trace thousands of people who went missing during and after the war and pay reparations to victims of the conflict. Sri Lanka's government has been praised for agreeing to investigate allegations that up to 40,000 ethnic Tamils were killed by troops in the final months of fighting in 2009. However, its slow progress on probing the deaths has also drawn criticism. (AFP)

Sri Lanka aims to demilitarise island by 2018