By Tharanga Yakupitiyage UN, Nov 2 (IPS) – After the Rwandan genocide, the United Nations promised ‘never again.’ But has the international community kept their word? From Mexico to Myanmar, conflicts and humanitarian crises have multiplied.
Category: Human rights
Global compact on safe, orderly and regular migration
By Prasad Kariyawasam Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct 31 (IPS) – At this crucial juncture of international migration, where numerous push and pull factors have engendered unprecedented migration flows across the globe, the ongoing discussions at the United Nations must lead…
UN Security Council: Refer Burma to the ICC
The United Nations Security Council should refer Burma to the International Criminal Court (ICC) because of Burma’s failure to investigate mass atrocities against ethnic Rohingya, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing a new question-and-answer document. UN member countries should…
How long will UN Security Council be missing in action on Burma?
New Resolution Opportunity for Council to Address Crisis Philippe Bolopion Two months into one of the most vicious ethnic cleansing campaigns in recent history, the United Nations Security Council is still missing in action. For all its pledges to protect…
The assertion of identity
By Chandra Muzaffar News reports about communities and regions asserting their identity are capturing media headlines everywhere. While the media gives a lot of coverage to an event or action connected with the phenomenon — a referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan…
Rohingya Crisis: EU Commissioner Stylianides reaffirms support
Brussels/Dhaka, 31 Oct – The Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has started a two-day visit to Bangladesh, to assess the situation on the ground and visit EU aid projects that are addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis.…
7-year-old minor girl violated in Chandpur
Chandpur, Oct 31 – A seven-year-old girl was violated allegedly by a young man in Sontoshpur area of Faridganj Upazila on Monday afternoon.
Stopping child marriage forever
By Shahiduzzaman Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct 30 (IPS) – The mother moved in like a tigress to save her cub. In 2015, when her 13-year-old daughter Shumi Akhter was about to be married off, Panna Begum pleaded with her husband, Dulal…
Khaleda for int’l help to send Rohingyas back
Cox’s Bazar – BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday called upon the international organisations including United Nations, European Union, OIC and influential countries to immediately take effective diplomatic efforts to send back Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar safely.
BNP repeats demand for polls-time govt, army duty
Dhaka – The leaders of BNP have emphasised on the formation of polls-time government and deployment of army to hold a free, fair and acceptable election.
Kenyans vote, or not, in controversial reelection
Nahar Khan Nairobi, Kenya, Oct 27 – Very few Kenyans showed up to vote Thursday at a controversial reelection boycotted by the main opposition, causing a deep divide and ethnic cleavages throughout the East African nation.
North Korea reluctantly opens up on to human rights
When you start from zero, as North Korea does on human rights, anything can seem like progress. So it’s noteworthy that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for North Korea said this week that the country is “selectively”…
Turkish court frees HR activists from jail pending verdicts
Raf Sanchez, Middle East correspondent The trial of a group of human rights activists in Turkey took an unexpected turn on Wednesday night when a judge ruled they could be released from prison but must still face charges.
Decision on Army deployment before polls: CEC
Dhaka, Oct 26 – The Election Commission will decide on deployment of the army before the next general election which is still far away, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) said today.
Asserting media persons’ rights in India
By Nava Thakuria Guwahati, Assam – More than one reason, India remains a hazardous place for hardcore journalists irrespective of the regimes in power at the national or province capitals. The populous country witnesses the murder of around five media…
Zia ‘reestablished’ multi-party democracy, iterates CEC
Dhaka, Oct 26 – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Thursday defended his remark that Ziaur Rahman, the founder of BNP, reestablished multi-party democracy in the country.
China wants peaceful resolution of Rohingya crisis
China wants to see a peaceful solution to Rohingya crisis bilaterally and send them back to their homeland – Myanmar, says an official on Wednesday. “Their intention and commitment for sending them (Rohingyas) back is now stronger,” Foreign Secretary M…
Lack of int’l action on Rohingya crisis – a “disgrace”
By Tharanga Yakupitiyage UN, Oct 23 (IPS) – As the crisis in Myanmar reaches unprecedented levels, frustration is at its peak as the international community remains slow to respond and act cohesively. Over 600,000 Rohingya refugees have crossed into Bangladesh…
Women leaders demand level playing field in polls
Dhaka – Women community leaders on Monday expressed their deep concern over the security of women candidates and voters during the elections and demanded level playing field for them in polls. They said the level playing field is always a…
‘BD women fall victims to money and religion during polls’
Participating in the Election Commission’s dialogue, women leaders on Monday said they badly fall victims to the use of money and religion during the polls. “Women can’t take their decisions on their own in many cases for various pressures during…
18 BD parties for JS dissolution, 10 others polls-time govt
Muhammad Syfullah, UNB Staff Writer Dhaka, Oct 22 – Participating in the two-month long dialogue arranged by the Election Commission (EC), some 18 political parties recommended dissolution of parliament before the announcement of the schedule for the 11th general election.
How would world’s millennials combat racism?
A recent study by Pew concludes that over 58% of Americans believe racism is a “big problem” in society. H. Richard Milner, a noted researcher and expert on race and education at the University of Pittsburgh says that, “education is…
No politically linked persons should be polls observers: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) K M Nurul Huda today called upon the election observers to perform their duties impartially and in such a way so that the overall voting process would not be hampered during the next general election. “The…
Most parties seek army duty in polls, 10 want magisterial power
Dhaka, Oct 22– Most political parties in their dialogues with the Election Commission have sought army deployment in the next general election, 10 of those including the BNP, wanted magisterial power for them.
Jamaat wants to have electoral dialogue with EC
Dhaka – Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed its desire to take part in the ongoing dialogue of political parties with the Election Commission (EC) to ensure participation of people in the next general elections.
AL wants Electronic Voting Machine in next election
Dhaka, Oct 18 – Awami League on Wednesday placed an 11-point proposal, including the introduction of the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), for holding the next general election in a credible manner.
Chief Election Commissioner showers praise on AL after BNP
Dhaka, Oct 18 – Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on Wednesday showered praise on Awami League and its leaders after doing so on BNP and its founder Ziaur Rahman on Sunday.
Amnesty accuses Myanmar of crimes against humanity
The UK-based Amnesty International today revealed a report on atrocities in Myanmar accusing the country of committing “crimes against humanity” by killing hundreds of men, women and children during a systematic campaign to expel the entire ethnic Muslim community. “Witness…
27000 more Rohingyas at no-man’s land to enter BD
Dhaka, Oct 17 – Around 15,000 more Rohingyas who fled persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State have gathered at the no-man’s land of Anjumanpara along the border in Ukhia Upazila of Cox’s Bazar to enter Bangladesh. Another 12,000 Myanmar nationals have…
IOM to help relocate Rohingyas to Bhashan Char
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has assured the government of providing all sorts of assistance in shifting Rohingyas to Bhasan Char in Noakhali, said a minister. “Kulupalong camp, located on 3,000 acres of land, is a temporary one. We’ve…