Tag:Human Rights

Families that had built lives in Pakistan over decades now find themselves in refugee camps or on the streets of Kabul and other major cities, with no access to humanitarian aid.

The United States currently pays about 22 per cent of the United Nations’ regular budget and 27 per cent of the peacekeeping budget. As of now, the United States owes $1.5 billion to the UN’s regular budget.

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.

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 mass mobilisation saw participation from people across different backgrounds, including women and children. Faced with this growing opposition, the former government resorted to increasingly violent means to maintain power. The UN report describes a deliberate strategy orchestrated at the highest levels of the former administration.

Under the new provisions, individuals found guilty of "intentionally disseminating" false or misleading information can face up to three years in prison and fines of up to 2 million rupees.

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.