Berlin – German lawmakers have agreed to put the legalization of same-sex marriage to a vote in parliament’s last session before its summer break, paving the way for the likely passage of the law. –AP/UNB
Category: Human rights
PM administers oath to Bogra Dist Council Chairman
Dhaka, Jun 29 – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday administered the oath of office to newly-elected Bogra District Council Chairman Md Makbul Hossain at the PM’s Jatiya Sangsad Office. He (Makbul Hossain) was sworn in at a simple ceremony…
US sets new visa rules for 6 mainly Muslim nations, refugees
Washington — The Trump administration on Wednesday set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a “close” family or business tie to the United States. –AP/UNB
Why is international human rights law such an easy target?
By Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein London, Jun 27 (IPS) – “Earlier this month, Britain’s Prime Minister called for human rights laws to be overturned if they were to “get in the way” in the fight against terrorism. Specifically, Theresa May…
Reporter seeks justice for ‘white van’ torture in Sri Lanka
Colombo — The sight of a white van still haunts Poddala Jayantha, a Sri Lankan journalist exiled in the U.S. –AP/UNB
No Hasina-led supportive govt: BNP
Dhaka – BNP on Wednesday sharply reacted to Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s comment that election-time supportive government will be formed under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying it is a hint to push the country towards a grave danger.…
“Torture works” — in all the wrong ways
By Victor Madrigal-Borloz Copenhagen, June (IPS) – “Torture works” might rank among the most sweeping generalisations ever uttered, one brutal in its disregard of the pain and suffering created by this abhorrent practice. Indeed, torture works, but to all the…
Don’t ‘normalize’ emergency powers: HRW tells France
Paris – The French government’s new counterterrorism bill would move some overly broad emergency powers into normal criminal and administrative law without adequate judicial safeguards Human Rights Watch said today.
Army to work as per Constt in next polls: Obaidul
Comilla, June 27 – Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quaderon Tuesdaysaid the next general election will be held under the Election Commission’s supervision and the Army will perform their duties as per the constitution.
Polls under supportive Govt must: Khaleda
Dhaka, Jun 26 – BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday said the next national election must be held under a supportive-government with the deployment of army to install a pro-people administration to end public sufferings and ensure good governance.
Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo released from Chinese prison
China’s best-known political prisoner, the civil rights campaigner and Nobel peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo, has been released on medical parole after he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
‘White van’ torture haunt Sri Lanka reporters
Colombo, Jun 25 (AP/UNB) – The sight of a white van still haunts Poddala Jayantha, a Sri Lankan journalist exiled in the U.S. Eight years after he was abducted in his home country, he says he saw only a pair…
Otto Warmbier’s sudden death “a mystery to us too”- North Korea
Oliver Hotham North Korea on Friday denied reports that it had mistreated the former U.S. detainee Otto Warmbier and described his sudden death as a “mystery”, in the country’s first public statement since the announcement of the 22-year-old’s death on…
Call to shut Al-Jazeera attack on ‘freedom of expression’
Doha, June 23(BSS/AFP) – Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera said Friday any move to close it down was an attack on media freedom, following demands by Gulf neighbours for the channel to be taken off air.
France’s leaders remain addicted to state of emergency
President Emmanuel Macron said today he will seek parliamentary approval to extend the country’s state of emergency until November 1, dashing hopes the new president might lift measures that have led to abusive practices. Macron also announced, in the wake…
Saudi leadership change: Prioririse human rights
Newly appointed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman should use his authority to end longstanding abuses against Saudi dissidents and rights activists and to make a public commitment for rights reforms, Human Rights Watch said today. The succession move follows a…
Polish human rights official under fire for Holocaust remark
Warsaw – A leading Polish human rights official has come under fire for saying the “Polish nation” took part in the implementation of the Holocaust – a controversial statement in a country that never collaborated with Nazi Germany during World…
After May Brexit opening, EU leaders ask: where’s the beef?
Brussels – British Prime Minister Theresa May’s show of goodwill at the European Union summit left the 27 other EU leaders with “thousands of questions” and eagerly awaiting a more detailed proposal on the future right of EU citizens to…
Lack of public awareness ‘key challenge to RTI implementation’
Dhaka – Making people aware of the Right to Information Act 2009 and encouraging them to use it is the main challenge in implementing the law, says the Information Commission. -UNB
UK rights offer not sufficient: Juncker
Efforts to reassure EU citizens in the UK about their future after Brexit are “a first step but not sufficient”, a top EU official has said. Under plans announced by Theresa May, EU nationals living in the UK for five…
Grenfell Tower fire started in fridge freezer
The Grenfell Tower fire in London started in a fridge freezer, and outside cladding failed safety tests, police say. Insulation on the building also failed tests and the Metropolitan Police will consider manslaughter charges. Seventy-nine people are feared dead after…
New York Governor signs Anti-Child Marriage Law
New York – New York State has taken an important step toward ending child marriage, as Governor Andrew Cuomo on June 20, 2017 signed legislation to dramatically reduce the circumstances under which children can marry, Human Rights Watch said today.…
Democracy must prevail, always
by Thorvaldur Gylfason Diversity is desirable in human affairs, as in nature. Most countries strive toward economic and political diversification. Economic diversification is a way of escaping dependence on a narrow economic base so as to spread risk. Political diversification…
Grenfell Tower type cladding used in around 600 UK high rises
Around 600 high rises across England are using similar cladding to Grenfell Tower, Downing Street estimates. Tower blocks across the UK are being examined after the London blaze, which left 79 people dead or missing, presumed dead. Three samples have…
London fire: Local administrator resigns amid criticism
London – The local administrator in the west London community devastated by a high-rise apartment fire has resigned after government officials criticized the speed of the response to the devastating blaze that killed at least 79 people. –AP/UNB
Refugee protection an obligation under international law
By Secretary-General António Guterres UN, June 21 (IPS) – It is impossible to be ten years as High Commissioner for Refugees, doing my best to try to help the most vulnerable of the vulnerable, without changing your life. And, indeed,…
Austrian claims property Barrister Moudud evicted from
Dhaka – An Austrian citizen has claimed the heir of the property from which BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed has recently been evicted.
BD Election Commission to update voter list from July 25
Dhaka – The Election Commission (EC) will begin the data collection for updating the existing voter list starting from July 25.
Domestic violence victims of Brazil
The authorities in the Brazilian state of Roraima are failing to investigate or prosecute domestic violence cases, leaving women at further risk of abuse, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The serious problems in Roraima, the state…
EU shifting rescue of migrants risks lives: HRW
(Milan) – Libyan forces have engaged in reckless conduct during recent rescue operations that endangered people being rescued in international waters in the Mediterranean, Human Rights Watch said today. These incidents indicate that Libyan forces lack capacity to safely perform…