Human rights

Sri Lanka’s defense agencies have intensified their vigilance following intelligence reports of a potential extremist group operating in the Eastern Province, the government confirmed Tuesday.

A global analysis of 942 court rulings revealed a chilling reality: 74 per cent of traffickers belong to organized crime networks.

The number killed in violence last year was the highest since the military coup in 2021. Over 1,800 civilians were killed in 2024, many in indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery shelling, with attacks on schools, places of worship and healthcare facilities having become routine.

These measures, which followed executive orders aimed at “reevaluating” US foreign assistance and terminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, risk undermining the freedoms that are vital to democratic societies.

In more positive developments and despite a global rise in executions, a growing number of countries are abolishing the practice – spurred by the Global South.

According to the United Nations in Sri Lanka, over 35 per cent of all gender-based harmful speech recorded in November was targeted at women candidates campaigning for the parliamentary elections.

One of the primary concerns raised during the meeting was the role of the Special Investigations Unit of Sri Lanka Police, which is responsible for investigating law enforcement officers accused of torture and enforced disappearances.

The War on Voters? report presents a detailed analysis of Pakistan’s electoral process, highlighting systemic flaws and irregularities.