By Jomo Kwame Sundaram KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jun 18 2020 (IPS) – How often have you heard someone lamenting or even condemning inequality in society, concluding with an appeal to meritocracy? We like to think that if only the deserving,…
Category: Human rights
RU teacher held for derogatory FB post against Nasim
Police arrested a teacher of Rajshahi University (RU) on charge of making derogatory remarks about late Awami League leader Muhammad Nasim in a Facebook post early Thursday.
DUJ concerned over DMP summoning journalists for probe
Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) has expressed grave concern over the summoning of at least 10 journalists by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) after reports on a senior police officer’s immoral activities were published.
Scrap Digital Security Act: Demonstration held in Shahbagh
A group of protesters demonstrated at Shahbagh area of the capital on Monday seeking cancellation of Digital Security Act after a teacher of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur was arrested for an allegedly ‘derogatory’ Facebook post. Police arrested Sirajum Munira,…
Was there slavery in Australia? Yes. It isn’t even debated
Jun 14 2020 (IPS) – Prime Minister Scott Morrison asserted in a radio interview that “there was no slavery in Australia”. This is a common misunderstanding which often obscures our nation’s history of exploitation of First Nations people and Pacific…
Racism and Dominance
By Jan Lundius STOCKHOLM / ROME, Jun 15 2020 (IPS) – The #MeToo movement triggered worldwide protests that hopefully was instrumental in making people better aware of a continuous and often hidden mistreatment of women. Maybe can the current I…
Global Forum protests black DWD, vows fight for Justice
Global Forum on Discrimination based on Work and Descent (GFoD) strongly condemns the police brutality leading to the horrific murder of George Floyd on 25th May in Minnesota, United States of America. We also support in solidarity with the Black…
Press freedom under Covid-19 lockdown in Asia
By Samira Sadeque Governments have made the media “a scapegoat” across Asia, targeting journalists who are simply reporting on the failures or shortcomings of their leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, press freedom experts have warned.
Benefits of equality
by John Scales Avery A new freely downloadable book I would like to announce the publication of a book which presents evidence supporting the thesis that elimination of excessive economic inequality makes societies happier and better. The book may be…
Migrant women exploited by those they trust
By Fairuz Ahmed NEW YORK, Jun 4 2020 (IPS) – Maliha Masud (25), was promised an affluent life and opportunities for higher education. A bright student studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, she wanted to complete her studies and become someone…
George Floyd: US’ Week of Broken Glass and Broken Dreams
By James Reinl NEW YORK, Jun 4 2020 (IPS) – The United States has been a story of broken dreams and broken glass this past week. Once again, an unarmed black man died at the hands of a white police…
Fight for HR & racial justice overriding coronavirus risk?
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS, Jun 2 2020 (IPS) – The deadly coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of over 372,000 people worldwide, has reinforced the concept of “social distancing” which bars any gathering of over 10 or 20…
Republic of Nepal, Dalit and Brahmin dominance
Written by Rem Bahadur Biswakarma It has been twelve years since Nepal became a federal democratic republic. The monarchy which was constitutionally considered as a symbol of Hindu feudalism was abolished on 3 June 2008 for Nepal to become a…
Reproductive rights of women and girls under lockdown
BEIRUT / GENEVA, May 28 2020 (IPS) – Health systems around the world are prioritising health care services and equipment to treat people diagnosed with Covid-19, which means that many procedures deemed to be elective and non-essential are being suspended…
Rescue, disembark Rohingyas floating at sea: IOM
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said they are “increasingly concerned” about the plight of hundreds of Rohingyas believed to be stranded at sea, noting that cyclone Amphan signalled a ferocious start to the cyclone season in the Bay…
Modern slavery in Asia Pacific fuelled by poverty, migration
By Neena Bhandari SYDNEY, Australia, May 15 2020 (IPS) – Aged 17, Moe Turaga was saddled with the responsibility of providing for his mother and young siblings when a family member approached him with the promise of a job and…
‘Nowhere is safe for us,’ Amnesty report on Syria
Between December 2019 and March 2020, the Syrian government, backed by its ally Russia, subjected civilians in opposition-held areas in north-west Syria to a new wave of horrors. In an all-too-familiar pattern, attacks from the air and the ground repeatedly…
Malaysia urged to stop violent threats against Rohingyas
Eighty four national and international humanitarian agencies on Monday expressed their concern over the response of the Malaysian government to threats of violence and ‘hate speech’ directed at ethnic Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.
BD HR body to move court over hospitals refusing treatment
Dhaka, May 11 – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decided to move the court as it feels the people’s right to medical treatment has been violated.
Turkey to take Rohingya issue to UNSC
Turkey has assured Bangladesh of raising the Rohingya issue at the next meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) as Rohingya problem remains unresolved putting much burden on Bangladesh.
‘Save people floating in Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea’
Eighteen humanitarian agencies called on governments in the region to save lives of stranded asylum seekers in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
Rastrochinta leaders sent to jail over Facebook posts
Political organisation ‘Rastrochinta’ leaders Didarul Bhuiyan and Minhaz Mannan Emon, also Dhaka Stock Exchange director were sent to jail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act for their anti-government posts on Facebook.
ICC Report on Libya highlights crimes against humanity
By Samira Sadeque UN, May 6 (IPS) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday highlighted crimes against humanity and grave mismanagement of the law in Libya during a release of their latest report on the North African nation.
Human Tragedy at Sea: States urged to break the cycle
UN agencies have urged the countries in the region to share responsibility to protect refugees saying this human tragedy will continue to unfold over and over again unless there are collective efforts to address interlocking issues.
Protect journalists’ eights so we can stop Covid-19 disinfodemic
By Stella Paul HYDERABAD, India, May 1 2020 (IPS) – Andrew Sam Raja Pandian, a digital journalist and founder of a news portal in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, was arrested for running two news articles related to COVID-19.
Press Freedom Day in Corona Era
M ZAHIDUL HAQUE ONCE I asked an English-speaking Journalist who used to work in a reputed Middle-East country newspaper—“How much press freedom do you enjoy? Do you face any restriction while publishing news and views?” Well, he said-“there is no…
Allow like Bangladesh safe landing of Rohingyas at Sea: EU
The European Union (EU) has urged the governments in the region to conduct rescue operation and find a solution for safe disembarkation of floating Rohingyas at sea following example shown by Bangladesh.
Journalism is not crime… nor it’s fake news on social media
By Namrata Sharma KATHMANDU, May 1 2020 (IPS) – This year’s World Press Freedom Day on 3 May falls during COVID-19 lockdowns in many of our countries. Restriction on movement means journalists all over the world are facing obstacles in…
Press freedom as a guarantee for human dignity, well-being
By Jan Lundius STOCKHOLM / ROME, May 1 2020 (IPS) – United Nations has designated at least 170 specific days of the year as occasions to mark particular events or topics to promote the objectives of the Organization. 2 This…
World Press Freedom Day: Journalism without fear or favour
May 02, 2020 (IPS) – MEDIA WORLDWIDE is facing crises on multiple fronts, exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic. Reporters Without Borders released its 2020 World Press Freedom Index on April 21st, noting that the Coronavirus is being used by authoritarian…