Europe

"Blasphemy laws protect political power": Baha’i Rep Fahandej

At a UNHRC event in Geneva, Simin Fahandej, Representative of the Baha'i International Community's UN Office, warned that blasphemy laws in Asia are often used to "protect political power" and "silence religious minorities." She noted these frameworks "frequently contradict international guarantees" through vague language and discriminatory enforcement.

2026-02-27T14:38:08.194819+00:00 IST

"Good thing for people": Humanist Dina Perla Portnaar hails initiative against blasphemy laws

At a UNHRC side event, humanist Dina Perla Portnaar warned that blasphemy laws are being weaponised as tools of "coercion" and "power" rather than faith. She highlighted how these laws lead to the "criminalisation of identity," silencing minorities in Asia through state-sanctioned persecution and social violence.

2026-02-27T14:07:06.751738+00:00 IST

South Sudan risks "return to full-scale war": UN report

A UN body has warned that South Sudan is close to returning to full-scale war amid rising violence, political instability, and sexual abuse. With mass displacement and severe malnutrition affecting millions, the commission urged urgent international action to prevent further atrocities and institutional collapse.

2026-02-27T11:14:49.546905+00:00 IST

Baloch group backs BYC’s month-long campaign

The Baloch Advocacy and Studies Centre (BASC) has expressed support and solidarity with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which has launched a month-long awareness campaign marking one year since the detention of several of its leaders.

2026-02-27T06:12:38.278674+00:00 IST

UN condemns Taliban’s new decree on women

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has strongly condemned the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan over a new decree that effectively expands and legitimises the use of violence against women and children, including in homes, in the country.

2026-02-27T05:46:44.836000+00:00 IST

"Made good progress": Araghchi on Iran-US talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said "good progress" was made after long and intensive talks in the third round of negotiations with the US in Geneva on issues of Tehran's nuclear programme and sanctions relief discussed amid escalated tensions between the two sides.

2026-02-27T03:44:55.400534+00:00 IST

French lawmaker raises concerns over Tibetan language policy, Fra

The report states that Deputy Charles de Courson of the French National Assembly submitted a formal written question to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, warning about a policy change scheduled for 2026 that would remove Tibetan as a core subject from national university entrance examinations in Tibet.

2026-02-26T14:20:00.607201+00:00 IST

France bars US ambassador from meeting government officials

The summons came after wide-ranging criticism from the US administration over the killing of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon earlier this month. Deranque, a well-known far-right activist, died from head injuries sustained in a confrontation with alleged left-wing opponents on February 12, an incident that has inflamed political tensions ahead of France's upcoming elections.

2026-02-26T04:40:28.617098+00:00 IST

"Pakistan living in 'la la land'": India slams Islamabad at UNHRC

Exercising India's Right to Reply during the high-level segment held on February 25, Anupama Singh, India's representative, rejected allegations made by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), saying the grouping had allowed itself to be used as an "echo chamber" for one member state.

2026-02-26T04:01:01.950805+00:00 IST

Trump, Zelensky speak on call ahead of Ukraine-US talks in Geneva

Ahead of a new round of talks on Thursday aimed at ending Russia's invasion, US President Donald Trump held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

2026-02-25T23:16:09.063079+00:00 IST

"Grateful”: Zelensky thanks G7 for reaffirming support

In a post on X, the Ukrainian President expressed his appreciation while calling for a dignified and lasting peace for Ukraine, which, according to him, is achievable if allies work together to guarantee the country's security and recovery.

2026-02-25T12:21:07.517061+00:00 IST

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy pleads with Trump to ‘stay on our side’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a high-stakes appeal this week to US President Donald Trump, calling on him to keep the United States firmly aligned with Ukraine as its war against Russia stretches into its fifth year and the Russian invasion's fourth anniversary approaches.

2026-02-25T09:10:31.409521+00:00 IST

UK Parliament raises alarm over alleged enforced disappearances

In a cross-party motion, Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom have voiced serious concern regarding the enforced disappearance of three retired government officials and relatives of the chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) in Balochistan, according to a report by Zrumbesh News.

2026-02-25T08:45:19.830965+00:00 IST

UNHRC: Sambhali Trust calls for deeper human rights integration

Representing the organisation, Hansraj Singh stated that human rights mainstreaming should not remain a theoretical or symbolic commitment, but must function as a cross-cutting principle integrated into policies, institutions, and implementation frameworks.

2026-02-25T08:42:47.002989+00:00 IST

FATF warns of rising cyber-enabled fraud

According to the FATF's latest publication, Cyber-Enabled Fraud -- Digitalisation and Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing Risks, fraud has become "one of the most widespread and damaging profit-motivated forms of crime, generating large volumes of illicit proceeds through the exploitation of victims around the world."

2026-02-25T07:20:50.388694+00:00 IST

India at Conference on Disarmament in Geneva

Addressing the 2026 High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "The recent expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) poses a significant setback for global arms control. India believes that preserving strategic stability and preventing an arms race remain vital, more than ever, for global security."

2026-02-25T05:32:27.805516+00:00 IST

India abstains from UN resolution vote calling for ceasefire

India on Tuesday abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly draft resolution that called for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

2026-02-24T22:24:53.737956+00:00 IST

UN experts flag misuse of cyber laws against Pakistan lawyers

UN experts expressed serious concern over the 17-year prison sentences handed to Pakistani human rights lawyers Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha under cyber-terrorism laws. The rapporteurs warned that broad legislation is being misused to criminalise legal advocacy, restrict expression, and target defenders through alleged procedural irregularities.

2026-02-24T17:39:40.542374+00:00 IST

EU honours fallen heroes on 4th anniversary of Russia invasion

On the fourth anniversary of the invasion, European leaders visited Kyiv to show solidarity. While President Zelenskyy and President Macron claimed Russia's military and strategic failure, Moscow insisted on addressing conflict "root causes". Meanwhile, the World Bank raised Ukraine's reconstruction estimate to 588bn USD amid ongoing Russian strikes and heavy casualties.

2026-02-24T11:51:50.416088+00:00 IST

French President Macron marks four years of Russia-Ukraine War

In a post on X, Macron said, "Four years ago, Europe awoke to the sound of Russian bombs falling on Ukraine", recalling, "four years of a war of aggression chosen by Russia, in blatant defiance of international law, of a people's sovereignty, and of human life. Four years of cities struck, of schools and hospitals destroyed, of energy infrastructure methodically targeted to plunge families into cold and terror."

2026-02-24T09:27:03.186501+00:00 IST

Zelenskyy marks four years of Russia-Ukraine war

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, "Today marks exactly four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kyiv. And that says a great deal about our resistance, about how Ukraine has fought all this time," referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

2026-02-24T08:15:28.519042+00:00 IST