Human rights

Amnesty International has issued a stark appeal to governments worldwide: stop the unlawful expulsion of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.

In a sobering assessment released this week, the United Nations has painted a complex portrait of Afghanistan under Taliban governance, where a dramatic increase in security incidents coincides with fragile stability, devastating cross-border violence with Pakistan, and a deepening humanitarian and human rights crisis.

Sri Lanka’s prison system is under intense scrutiny following multiple deaths in custody.

The UN experts concluded that ending forced conversions and child marriages is essential for safeguarding human rights and ensuring equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of religion.

Nur Jahan’s children now face not only legal scrutiny but the judgment of a nation mourning a mother who deserved better in her twilight years.

As global conflicts multiply, nations like India, with its demographic dividend and growing global influence, have an opportunity to lead by example in fostering stability.

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

For the disarmament community, this moment underscores the urgency of revitalizing the NPT. Without genuine steps toward Article VI commitments (disarmament), the treaty risks becoming a hollow shell, inviting withdrawals or parallel regimes that favour proliferation.