Freedom of speech and expression

In a troubling escalation, vehicles linked to Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party blocked media offices, amid protests over a ride-hailing driver’s self-immolation and heavy-handed...

The conviction relates to violence during the Baloch Raji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) organised by the BYC in Gwadar in July 2024.

For the Maldives, this represents more than regulation; it’s an opportunity to pioneer a balanced digital future that honours cultural values, Islamic principles, and the well-being of its youth while embracing innovation.

Challenges persist: balancing security needs with rights, combating rising organized crime and drug issues without draconian tools, and ensuring implementation does not lag.

The international community’s response – through statements, potential aid conditions, or sanctions – will be critical in determining whether such crackdowns face meaningful consequences.

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has explicitly implicated former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, along with his key cabinet members and senior security chiefs, for gross human rights violations during the deadly Gen Z protests in September 2025.

Experts suggest the Eid address serves multiple purposes: rallying domestic support, discouraging dissent, and messaging the international community ahead of potential future talks. With Akhundzada rarely appearing publicly and operating primarily from Kandahar, his sermons remain key vehicles for policy direction.

For Hindus in Sindh, Christians in Punjab, and other groups nationwide, the wait for meaningful protection continues. The establishment of the NCMR offers cautious hope, but history suggests that transforming promise into protection requires sustained commitment beyond legislation.