Latest news with #UNHRC
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Bombay High Court Orders Release Of Yemeni National Detained For Overstay
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of a Yemeni national detained by the Mumbai police earlier this month for overstaying his visa and sought to know how could he be kept in a lock-up. The court questioned as to how the man, Mohammed Qassim Mohammed Al Shibah -- a former airline employee -- could be kept in the lock-up at the Byculla police station since May 16, and noted his current detention was due to administrative lapses. A bench of Justices Gauri Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan lamented about the lack of proper detention facilities in the metropolis for persons detained in such cases. The court emphasised the need for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle illegal stay cases under the Foreigners Act. The bench said the man shall be released forthwith and directed him to not leave the city without prior permission from the court. Questioning as to how the man was detained without any formal order, the bench wondered who would be responsible if something untoward happened to him while in detention. "What if something happens to the he has a heart attack or some other medical emergency. The police officers need to understand the seriousness of the issue. Who would be responsible then?" the court said. The man's family had petitioned the HC against the detention. Al Shibah, a designated refugee under the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), had been living in India with his family after their visas expired in September 2015. Deportation orders were issued against six members of his family, including three minors. Advocate Wesley Menezes, appearing for Al Shibah, argued his client had no criminal background other than the overstay. "He is not a threat to public order and has been seeking legal resettlement through proper channels," Menezes contended. The advocate informed the court that the family, granted refugee status by the UNHRC until August 2027, is in the process of resettling in Canada -- a process that requires another 12 months in India. Additional Public Prosecutor Poornima Kantharia opposed the plea, noting Al Shibah had overstayed his visa and was running a business in India. Al Shibah, a former employee of Yemen Airlines, had travelled between India and his home country from 2002 to 2015. Following the outbreak of civil war and a change in leadership in the West Asian nation, he and his family sought asylum in India fearing persecution in their home country. The court noted that he had entered India on valid documents and that his current detention was due to administrative lapses. The court has asked the Maharashtra government to file a detailed affidavit to the plea and posted the matter for further hearing on June 16.
Hans India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Bipartisan outreach will help India's case against Pakistan
The government's decision to include Opposition leaders in the seven delegations being sent to countries across the globe is significant and sagacious. This step underscores a refreshing and much-needed bipartisan approach to foreign policy, national security, and global image management. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, an articulate debater and former diplomat, will lead the most important delegation to the United States, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia. This initiative could reshape how the world views India's internal cohesion and foreign policy maturity. It should be mentioned that this is not the first time that such a bipartisan initiative has taken place. In 1994, the then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao asked the leader of opposition Atal Bihari Vajpayee to head a delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva to counter Pakistan. After the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Manmohan Singh sent multi-party delegations to different continents with evidence on Pakistan's links to the terror attacks. Such inclusive diplomatic initiatives send a powerful message to both friends and foes alike that the country's political class stands united when it comes to matters of national defence and security. Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the egregious Pahalgam terror attack, has become a rallying point for all political parties. Indian leaders have shown that they don't allow partisan politics to ignore national interests. It tells the world that Indian democracy, though noisy and diverse, knows when to close ranks to protect its integrity. Also, these delegations will help counteract the wave of anti-India propaganda that has been gaining ground globally. Pakistan, along with several interest groups in the West, has often painted India in negative hues, while accusing the country of religious intolerance, human rights violations and authoritarianism. These narratives, whether promoted through social media, academic forums, or political lobbying, have the potential to considerably damage India's diplomatic and economic interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have frequently been targeted in such campaigns, often being portrayed as anti-Muslim or Rightwing extremists. When leaders from the Opposition, many of whom are vocal critics of the Modi administration, join the government in representing India abroad, it helps debunk such accusations. A united political voice cuts through propaganda and presents a more nuanced, authentic picture of the Indian state and society. This bipartisan outreach can also have a positive effect on domestic political culture. Indian politics has, of late, become increasingly confrontational and polarised, with debates degenerating into personal attacks and ideological rigidity. The act of working together as a cohesive unit on sensitive and strategic matters can help build mutual respect and encourage more constructive political engagement at home. When leaders from different political ideologies cooperate on international platforms, it sends a signal that political rivalry need not be equated to enmity. This could, in turn, tone down the toxicity in Indian politics and create space for more mature and issue-based discourse. The government's move to send mixed delegations composed of both ruling party and Opposition leaders is a commendable and visionary step. It aligns diplomatic engagement with democratic values, leverages the country's political diversity, and sends a powerful message of unity and resolve to the global community. If this collaborative spirit is nurtured, it could lay the foundation for a more balanced, credible, and effective Indian foreign policy—one that represents the entire nation and its people, and not just the ruling government.
Arab Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
United Nations unanimously adopts Kuwait's human rights report
GENEVA, May 10: The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) unanimously adopted Kuwait's fourth national report, affirming the country's commitment to enhancing its human rights framework. The report underscores Kuwait's dedication to strengthening its national human rights protection system through comprehensive legislative, institutional, and field reforms. Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait led the Kuwaiti delegation during the session held in Geneva, presenting the national report within the framework of the UNHRC's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. Key legislative and institutional reforms Kuwait highlighted several significant reforms aimed at aligning its legal framework with international human rights standards. These include: Protection from domestic violence: The enactment of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, establishing shelters and hotlines for victims. Amendments to Penal Code: Redefining the crime of torture in accordance with the Committee against Torture's recommendations.n Nationality Law Reforms: Amendments to the Nationality Law to align it with civil, economic, and social rights.n Abolition of Article 153: Supporting gender equality by repealing provisions that previously allowed lenient sentences for honor-based crimes.n Raising the Minimum Age of Marriage: Increasing the legal age of marriage to 18 years.n Abolition of Article 182: Removing exemptions from punishment for perpetrators of kidnapping who marry the victim.n Institutional developments Kuwait has established several institutions to bolster human rights protections, including: Domestic Violence Centers: Providing support services to victims. National Office for Child Protection: Focusing on safeguarding children's rights.n Women's Affairs and Business Committee: Enhancing the role of women in development.n Specialized Public Prosecution Offices: Addressing human trafficking and human rights violations.n Additionally, Kuwait launched child protection centers in July 2024 to address cases of abuse and neglect. Advancements in gender equality Kuwaiti women play a pivotal role in the nation's development, representing 58% of the total national workforce. Women's participation in the government sector stands at 60%, with 48% in both the private sector and the legal profession. Notably, women currently hold three ministerial portfolios in the government. Support for persons with disabilities Kuwait allocated approximately $340 million for the fiscal year 2023/2024 to support services for persons with disabilities. This funding benefits over 213,000 individuals across 82 educational and rehabilitation institutions, including schools, nurseries, and treatment centers. Anti-corruption measures The report highlights Kuwait's efforts to combat corruption through the preparation of new draft laws aimed at expanding the powers of the Anti-Corruption Authority, strengthening the role and independence of the judiciary, and tightening the protection of public funds in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Digital transformation and environmental initiatives Kuwait has embraced digitization with the launch of the "Sahel" app, which has processed over 60 million e-transactions. The country has also adopted national strategies to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. International humanitarian efforts The report underscores Kuwait's role as a capital of humanitarian action, emphasizing its continued commitment to providing large-scale humanitarian aid through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. The country supports relief efforts in conflict and disaster areas, particularly in Gaza, Syria, and Yemen, and has organized and hosted international donor conferences. Commitment to reform and sustainable development Under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait continues its commitment to reform, modernization, and the promotion of rights and freedoms. These developments reflect the State of Kuwait's renewed commitment to advancing the human rights system based on the principles of the Constitution and international conventions aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. Engagement with UN Human Rights mechanisms The report notes that Kuwait received 302 recommendations in the previous UPR cycle, of which 230 were fully accepted, 6 were partially accepted, and 12 were taken into account. The state remains committed to transparency and openness, fully participating in dialogue sessions with relevant international treaty committees. Kuwait has also engaged with mandate holders and special procedures of the Council, responding to requests for field and scientific visits during 2023 and 2024, including mandates in the fields of development, violence against women, and the rights of persons with disabilities and migrants. The national report, covering the period from 2020 to the end of 2024, was prepared through a comprehensive participatory methodology involving government agencies, civil society, and the National Bureau for Human Rights. The Kuwaiti delegation pledged to study the 290 recommendations submitted by member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council, focusing on strengthening human rights mechanisms
Sky News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Labour's plan for failed asylum seekers shows they're willing to adopt previously unpalatable policies
The Conservatives leapt on Labour's idea for third country migrant "returns hubs" as evidence that cancelling their controversial Rwanda plan was a mistake. In fundamental terms, the Rwanda plan was very different, not least because it was implacably opposed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which is now - in principle at least - backing this concept. The Tories were intending to deport everyone who arrived in the UK illegally to the central African country, regardless of whether they had a legitimate asylum claim. Labour 's plan is about dealing with people who have no such claims - who have exhausted every avenue for appeal, and therefore, in the words of the UNHCR, are "not in need of international protection". This important distinction is unlikely to prevent real queasiness among those in Labour who see the idea as far too reminiscent of the Conservative approach. 0:51 The government is hoping the UNHRC's intervention will provide a degree of legal and political cover to pursue the policy. But the details are still incredibly sketchy. A Home Office Source tells me "there are some people it's very difficult to return at the moment, e.g. those from Afghanistan. "So the idea would be a period of leave in another country which can be terminated if things change in their country of origin, but also recognises they have failed to successfully claim asylum in the UK." It's unclear how long that "period of leave" would be. Would migrants stay there indefinitely, if the situation doesn't change in their countries of origin? And if not - would deals be struck for permanent resettlement elsewhere? It's politically, diplomatically, morally and legally complex territory. Sir Keir Starmer previously talked about working closely with Italy to look at ways of processing migrants in a third country, after the Italians struck a deal with Albania and have begun sending rejected asylum seekers there (after months of legal wrangling). Would the Albanians have the appetite for more of these deals? Which other countries would be prepared to step in? How much would we be prepared to pay? It's clearly far from a fully developed policy. But the willingness of government sources to talk it up points to their political need to talk tough on migration - and sound like they do really have a plan to deal with the issue. The prime minister promised to "smash the gangs" and get a grip on the problem of illegal migration - and the asylum backlog. But with record numbers of people making that dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats - and under growing pressure on the right from Reform - his government is clearly prepared to countenance policies which would previously have been deeply unpalatable.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour's plan for failed asylum seekers shows they're willing to adopt previously unpalatable policies
The Conservatives leapt on Labour's idea for third country migrant "returns hubs" as evidence that cancelling their controversial Rwanda plan was a mistake. In fundamental terms, the was very different, not least because it was implacably opposed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which is now - in principle at least - . The Tories were intending to deport everyone who arrived in the UK illegally to the central African country, regardless of whether they had a legitimate asylum claim. 's plan is about dealing with people who have no such claims - who have exhausted every avenue for appeal, and therefore, in the words of the UNHCR, are "not in need of international protection". This important distinction is unlikely to prevent real queasiness among those in Labour who see the idea as far too reminiscent of the Conservative approach. Read more: The government is hoping the UNHRC's intervention will provide a degree of legal and political cover to pursue the policy. But the details are still incredibly sketchy. A Home Office Source tells me "there are some people it's very difficult to return at the moment, e.g. those from Afghanistan. "So the idea would be a period of leave in another country which can be terminated if things change in their country of origin, but also recognises they have failed to successfully claim asylum in the UK." It's unclear how long that "period of leave" would be. Would migrants stay there indefinitely, if the situation doesn't change in their countries of origin? And if not - would deals be struck for permanent resettlement elsewhere? It's politically, diplomatically, morally and legally complex territory. previously talked about working closely with Italy to look at ways of processing migrants in a third country, after the Italians struck a deal with Albania and have begun sending rejected asylum seekers there (after months of legal wrangling). Would the Albanians have the appetite for more of these deals? Which other countries would be prepared to step in? How much would we be prepared to pay? It's clearly far from a fully developed policy. But the willingness of government sources to talk it up points to their political need to talk tough on migration - and sound like they do really have a plan to deal with the issue. The prime minister promised to "smash the gangs" and get a grip on the problem of illegal migration - and the asylum backlog. But with record numbers of people making that dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats - and under growing pressure on the right from Reform - his government is clearly prepared to countenance policies which would previously have been deeply unpalatable.
