Latest news with #UNConventionontheRightsoftheChild
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Raj HC orders visa extension for Oz child born to Indian parents to stop deportation
Jaipur: Rajasthan high court Tuesday directed the foreigners regional registration officer in Delhi to extend the visa period for a five-year-old Australian citizen born to Indian parents without insisting on a no objection certificate (NOC) from the child's estranged mother who is fighting a matrimonial dispute with her husband. Hearing a writ petition filed by the child's father, Justice Anoop Dhand observed that the child, born in Australia to Indian citizens who returned to India in 2022, was residing with her father and could not be left at the mercy of her estranged mother. The HC stressed that the court's paramount consideration is the best interest of the child and that denial of visa extension would classify the minor as an illegal migrant, potentially leading to deportation. The court invoked international conventions, particularly UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to assert that separating a child from either parent violates Article 9 of UNCRC. It also noted that no custody order favoured the mother, who earlier withdrew her application for guardianship. The court also allowed the petitioner to apply for an overseas citizenship of India (OCI) card for the child, urging the authorities to consider the application sympathetically within three months. The court called upon Union home ministry to revisit laws concerning children born abroad to Indian citizens, to address such unique and complex legal issues in the future.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Invisible workers
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to education and the right to play - for the simple fact that they are children. Nothing else is meant to be expected of them. It is during the crucial beginning years that children learn about the world, understand their role in it and exercise their curiosity to develop skills that will help them later in life. But due to lax regulations, poverty and low literacy rates, the children of Sindh remain deprived of the basic tenets of childhood. A recent survey conducted by the Sindh Labour Department, assisted by UNICEF and the Bureau of Statistics Sindh, revealed that over 1.6 million children aged 10 to 17 are involved in some form of labour, of which 50.4 per cent are exposed to hazardous and exploitative conditions. Excessive working hours with inadequate food and water are deplorably a norm, but many children are even forced to handle unsafe tools and machinery. While child labour has significantly decreased as compared to 1996, the numbers that stand today are no cause for celebration. There are approximately 4.1 million out-of-school children in Sindh and child labour practices dramatically exacerbate this crisis, specially for girls aged 14 to 17 who have to manage a 'second shift' with household chores. The complexity of the child labour crisis demands compound solutions. Families living in poverty often resort to sending their kids into employment or bonded labour believing they have no other viable option. This crisis is the culmination of low literacy, poor family planning, inflation and opportunistic business practices. Therefore, merely outlawing child labour will never be enough. The rulers must protect children by providing free education and ensuring that their families are not left to suffer as a result.
The Star
01-08-2025
- The Star
Children accused of crime must be treated with dignity, says Suhakam
KUALA LUMPUR: Children who come into conflict with the law must be treated with dignity and respect, says the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). Suhakam children's commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said it was deeply concerned over the recent arrest of a 14-year-old student accused of punching a teacher. "We stand in solidarity with the teacher involved and reiterate that violence in any form is unacceptable. "Every individual, whether teacher, student, or staff has the right to a safe and respectful environment in which to teach and learn," she said in a statement on Friday (Aug 1). "However, Suhakam strongly emphasises that children who come into conflict with the law must be treated in a manner that upholds their dignity, rights and potential for rehabilitation," she said. Dr Farah Nini said this was guaranteed under the Child Act 2001 and Malaysia's international commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Nov 20, 1989. She pointed out that although the nature of this case is serious, the student is protected under section 15 of the Child Act, which prohibits the media from revealing any identifying details of a child involved in criminal or custody proceedings from media exposure or public condemnation. This provision reflects the spirit of Article 16 of the CRC, which upholds every child's right to privacy and protection from unlawful interference with their honour and reputation, she said. She also reminded all media outlets and the public to respect the privacy of the child, adding that publicly identifying, speculating or vilifying minors was not only harmful but could also constitute a breach of the law. She said Suhakam reiterated its call for the government to implement a formal Diversion Policy for children who come into contact with the law. "Such a policy would redirect minors accused of non-violent or minor offences away from the criminal justice system and into community-based rehabilitation programmes. "This approach would not only reduce the risk of criminalisation and social stigma but also address underlying issues such as trauma, neglect or mental health," said Dr Farah Nini. She also urged the Education Ministry, school administrators and other stakeholders to review whether current systems were adequate in providing behavioural support, mental health access and conflict resolution strategies for students and teachers alike. "Malaysia must move beyond punitive responses and embrace a child justice system that reflects compassion, equity and the best interests of the child," she added. On July 30, a 14-year-old male student was detained for allegedly punching and threatening his schoolteacher after he was reprimanded for skipping a physical education class. Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Naazron Abdul Yusof reportedly said the 29-year-old secondary school teacher lodged a report at about 7.15pm on Tuesday (July 29) and the student was detained shortly afterwards.
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First Post
24-07-2025
- First Post
Why Karnataka High Court halted the deportation of the Russian woman found in Gokarna cave
The Karnataka High Court halted the deportation of Nina Kutina, the Russian woman who was found living in a cave near Gokarna with her two young daughters. The court said that such a move could potentially 'endanger the children and their welfare'. The 40-year-old woman, who overstayed her visa for years, says she sought 'spiritual solitude' in the 'big, beautiful cave' read more Kutina, who had overstayed her Indian visa by several years, told authorities she had chosen a life of 'spiritual solitude' in the jungle. The deportation of her and her daughters was temporarily halted by Karnataka High Court. Image courtesy: News18 Karnataka High Court has put a stop to the deportation of Nina Kutina, the Russian woman who was recently found living with her two young daughters in a cave near Gokarna. The family had been staying deep within the jungles of Ramatirtha hills. During a routine patrol earlier this month, police came across the woman and her children, who had been living off-grid for weeks. Kutina, who had overstayed her Indian visa by several years, told authorities she had chosen a life of 'spiritual solitude' in the jungle. The discovery quickly drew attention both in India and abroad and made headlines. Once officials brought the family down from the hills, they began deportation proceedings citing the long-expired visa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the Karnataka High Court's decision to halt their deportation has added a new turn to the case. Here's what happenend Why has the High Court stopped Kutina's deportation On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court put a temporary hold on the deportation of Nina Kutina, stating that such a move could potentially 'endanger the children and their welfare.' The decision came in response to a writ petition challenging the deportation order. Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav, who is hearing the case, took note of the concerns raised by Kutina's lawyer, Beena Pillai. She argued that the authorities had overlooked the children's rights, particularly under international law. Referring to Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Pillai told the court that 'the best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.' The judge agreed that this principle must be considered before any action is taken, and stated that re-evaluating the deportation was 'in the best interest of both the children.' Inside the cave, the 'spiritually inclined' Russian woman had kept a Rudra idol, Russian books, and photos of Hindu deities. Police found her during a routine patrol. Image courtesy: X The assistant solicitor general, representing the Union of India, also informed the court that the children do not currently have valid travel or identity documents. The court observed that without proper paperwork, deporting them would be unreasonable. It has now directed the government to file a formal affidavit confirming the lack of documents and to submit any objections within two weeks. Until then, the court made it clear that no deportation should take place without its permission. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The matter will next be heard on August 18. Kutina's 'spiritual' life in the forests On 9 July, police on routine patrol in the forests of Uttara Kannada district stumbled upon a curtain of red saris hanging between trees, an unusual sight in the deep jungles. Moving closer, they realised it was covering the entrance of a cave. A statue of a Hindu god, scattered belongings, were found, and eventually, a blonde child emerged. Moments later, officers discovered Nina Kutina asleep inside the cave with her younger daughter. Police believe Kutina had been staying there for at least a week at the time, and had spent several stints living in the cave over the past nine months. When questioned, Kutina told the officers she had moved into the cave in search of 'spiritual solitude and to live closer to nature.' 'We woke up with the sun, swam in rivers and lived in nature. I cooked on a fire or gas cylinder, depending on the season, and got groceries from a nearby village. We painted, sang songs, read books and lived peacefully,' she told the media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During the rainy season, the family lived with minimal clothing and relied mostly on daylight. Although they had candles, they rarely used them, Gokarna police Sub Inspector Sridhar S R told The Indian Express. She dismissed concerns about the risks of living in the forest, especially during monsoon season. Kutina reportedly told police that 'animals and snakes are our friends' and that she only feared human beings, not the jungle. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite her protests, police removed the family from the cave and took them back to the nearby town. Kutina underwent a hospital check-up, and the children were placed in a shelter. M Narayana, Superintendent of Police, later described her as 'deeply disillusioned with human society, yet still compassionate and spiritually grounded.' After being relocated, Kutina messaged a friend about her feelings, writing that they had been taken from their 'big and beautiful cave' and 'placed in a prison without sky, without grass, without a waterfall, with an icy hard floor on which we now sleep for 'protection from rain and snakes'…. Once again, evil has won.' Who is Nina Kutina & how did she come to India? Nina Kutina, a Russian national, first arrived in India in 2016 on a business visa. That visa expired a year later, but instead of returning home, she chose to stay back after becoming involved with spiritual communities in Goa. In 2017, she began a relationship with an Israeli man, Dror Goldstein. The following year, after overstaying her visa, Kutina was deported to Russia. She then travelled to Ukraine, where she gave birth to her first daughter. Kutina already had two sons from a previous relationship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By 2020, she was back in India. She reunited with Goldstein in Goa, and the couple had another daughter. During this period, Kutina supported herself by teaching art and languages. However, Goldstein says their relationship eventually broke down. According to him, Kutina began to withdraw and would often disappear for long periods with the children. VIDEO | Dror, father of Russian woman Nina Kutina's kids, who was discovered living with her two daughters in a secluded cave near Gokarna, Karnataka said, "Nina's visa expired a few months ago. My next step is to return to Bengaluru and discuss the matter with my lawyer… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 17, 2025 The situation worsened in October last year when Kutina's eldest son, aged 21, died in a motorcycle accident in India. Following this personal tragedy, she became more withdrawn. Goldstein told the media that although he continued to send her a 'good amount' of money each month, she cut off communication. He returned from Nepal after renewing his visa only to find that Kutina and their daughters had vanished. In December, he filed a police complaint but heard nothing for months, until reports of their discovery in a Gokarna cave surfaced this July. Kutina has since said there were 'many complicated reasons' behind her decision to remain in India without valid documents. 'First, there were multiple personal losses – not just the death of my son, but also a few other close people. We were constantly dealing with grief, paperwork and other problems,' she said. She also claimed that her son's ashes were among the belongings taken from the cave after their removal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With the court halting her deportation for now, the future of this complex case remains uncertain. With input from agencies
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
What made Karnataka HC halt Russian woman Nina Kutina's deportation after she was found living in Gokarna caves
On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court ordered a stay on the deportation of Nina Kutina, a Russian national who was discovered earlier this month living in a forest cave in Gokarna with her two daughters. The case was heard by Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav, who said the decision to deport could 'endanger the children and their welfare.' The court was responding to a writ petition filed against the deportation order. Kutina's lawyer, Beena Pillai, argued that the process overlooked the children's rights under international law. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MBA Leadership Healthcare Management Others Data Analytics Product Management Artificial Intelligence CXO PGDM Digital Marketing Technology Cybersecurity healthcare Data Science others MCA Project Management Finance Data Science Public Policy Degree Design Thinking Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills Financial Literacy Leadership and Management Skills Strategic Thinking Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Online MBA Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Management Team Leadership & Collaboration Financial Reporting & Analysis Advocacy Strategies for Leadership Duration: 18 Months UMass Global Master of Business Administration (MBA) Starts on May 13, 2024 Get Details She pointed to Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states: 'The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pennsylvania: These Walk In Tubs Are Cheap (See Prices) Walk In Tub Discounts Undo Taking this into account, the court said that reconsidering the deportation was 'in the best interest of both the children.' No valid documents but no immediate deportation During the hearing, the Assistant Solicitor General, appearing for the Union of India, admitted that the children did not possess valid travel or identity documents. Live Events The court noted that, without proper paperwork, any move to deport the children was unreasonable at this stage. It has now asked the government to file a formal affidavit confirming the absence of documents and to submit objections within two weeks. Until then, it made one point clear: no deportation can be carried out without the court being informed. The next hearing is scheduled for 18 August. Found in a forest cave On 9 July, police discovered Kutina and her daughters Preya, aged 6, and Ama, aged 4, living in a cave on Ramatirtha Hill in the Uttara Kannada district. Officers on patrol noticed a curtain of red saris draped over trees. Behind it, they found a small cave, a statue of a Hindu god, scattered clothes, and eventually, a child. They were stunned to find Kutina inside, asleep with her second child by her side. According to police, she had been living there for at least a week. She later admitted that she had stayed in the cave on and off for the past nine months. Her visa had expired eight years ago. Who is Nina Kutina and why is she living in the forest? Kutina told police she had moved to the cave for 'spiritual solitude and to live closer to nature.' 'We woke up with the sun, swam in rivers and lived in nature,' she said in interviews published by Indian media. 'I cooked on a fire or gas cylinder, depending on the season, and got groceries from a nearby village. We painted, sang songs, read books and lived peacefully.' Despite warnings that the area was unsafe during the monsoon, Kutina resisted. She told police: 'Animals and snakes are our friends. It is only humans who are dangerous.' Still, she was taken for a medical check-up and placed with her children in a government shelter in Tumakuru. She later messaged a friend saying they had been 'placed in a prison without sky, without grass, without a waterfall, with an icy hard floor on which we now sleep for 'protection from rain and snakes'... Once again, evil has won.' Kutina first arrived in India in 2016 and spent time at Arambol Beach in Goa. She later entered a relationship with Israeli national Dror Goldstein. She overstayed her visa and was deported in 2018. She travelled to Ukraine and gave birth to her first daughter. She already had two older sons from a previous relationship. By 2020, she was back in India. Kutina reunited with Goldstein and had another child. During this time, she made a living teaching art and languages. But Goldstein claims the relationship fell apart. He said she began disappearing with the children. In 2023, her 21-year-old son died in a motorbike crash. Goldstein, who was in Nepal renewing his visa, returned to find Kutina and the girls missing. He filed a police complaint in Goa that December. In it, he accused Kutina of 'brainwashing his children and keeping them away from him.' He also said: 'The Russian woman began to use me for money and often subjected me to physical and verbal abuse.' For now, Kutina remains in India, under the care of state authorities. The legal battle over her immigration status and her daughters' custody continues. When asked why she stayed in the country without documents, she replied: 'There were many complicated reasons. First, there were multiple personal losses – not just the death of my son, but also a few other close people. We were constantly dealing with grief, paperwork and other problems.' Among her belongings taken from the cave, she claimed, were her son's ashes. The court has pressed pause, but the story is far from over.
