Non-violence

The split between the home ministry and the judicial commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki has become increasingly public, reflecting a deeper dilemma: to move swiftly with criminal probes, or to hold back until the commission delivers its findings.

The increase is driven by militant attacks and intensified counter-terrorism operations, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.

The monks contend that Sri Lanka’s existing penal code already contains sufficient safeguards to deal with abuse, and that new legislation is unnecessary and overly idealistic.

The discovery of three transgender persons dead on a roadside in Karachi on the night of September 21 has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s already vulnerable transgender community, igniting fear, anger, and renewed demands for protection and justice.

Fletcher’s statement amid what he described as “a massive military offensive” by Israeli forces against Palestinians in Gaza City, and the failure of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas militants.

The crisis has been compounded by the rise of hardline Islamist groups since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s long rule. Women’s rights activists warn that these groups are contributing to an atmosphere of communalism and hostility towards women, exacerbating their vulnerability.

Sri Lanka’s Government has a “historic opportunity” to end decades of impunity and deliver justice for victims of past violations, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) has said, urging sweeping reforms to address crimes committed during and after the country’s civil war.

The situation came to a head last week with the gruesome daylight lynching of 39-year-old scrap dealer Chand Mia, also known as Sohag, in front of the Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital in Dhaka.