Non-violence

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.

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.

“Terrorism and violent extremism remain persistent scourges. We see a dark spirit of impunity spreading.  The prospect of nuclear war remains – outrageously – a clear and present danger.”

Google’s revised Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy signals a worrying shift in the company’s stance on the development of AI for military applications, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned.

The UN adopted the Genocide Convention 1948 and it went into effect in 1951. Among the punishable offenses are “acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

The actions taken by the interim government in the coming months will determine whether the sacrifices of the Monsoon Revolution pave the way for a brighter future or become a fleeting moment in the nation’s turbulent history.

For Afghanistan, India’s support represents a vital lifeline as it navigates complex domestic and regional challenges. The agreement to promote trade, enhance humanitarian aid, and address shared security concerns lays the groundwork for a more cooperative relationship.