Author page: SAHR

India: Human rights of Indigenous communities under threat again by ongoing legal challenge – Amnesty International

The Dongria Kondh are an Indian adivasi (Indigenous) community living in the Niyamgiri Hills in the eastern state of Orissa. The Dongria Kondh consider the Niyamgiri Hills as sacred and depend on them as their source for water, food and cultural values.

Over the last few years, the human rights of the Dongria Kondh have been under threat by commercial plans to develop a bauxite mine in the Niyamgiri Hills without the free, prior and informed consent of the community. 

Learn More

Burmese refugees in India demand legal protection

Thousands of refugees who fled Christian persecution in Burma’s Chin state are demanding legal protection in India and religious freedom back home.

Many of the Chins started coming to India after the failed students’ uprising of 1988.

According to the UNHCR, there are more than 80,000 Burmese refugees living in India, a majority of Chin ethnicity.

Learn More

India: Government to introduce Lokpal Bill in Parliament today

NEW DELHI: The government prepared on Thursday to introduce an anti-corruption bill in parliament, which activists have panned for exempting the prime minister from the scrutiny of a powerful new ombudsman.

The much-hyped ” Lokpal Bill” would allow citizens to approach a newly-created anti-corruption watchdog with complaints about officials, including federal ministers and senior bureaucrats who are shielded under India’s current laws.

Learn More

Indian Kashmir shuts down in general strike protesting man’s death in police custody

SRINAGAR, India – Kashmiris shut down shops and businesses Wednesday in a general strike to protest a man’s death in police custody in the Indian-controlled portion of the disputed Himalayan region.

At least three clashes broke out between government forces and rock-throwing protesters in the main city of Srinagar, but police managed to disperse the crowds and no injuries were reported, police said.

Learn More

Nepal: Red passport – Case filed against lawmakers

NIRJANA SHARMA

KATHMANDU, MAY 04 – Police have filed a case in Kathmandu District Court (KDC) against two lawmakers, charging them with misusing their diplomatic passports.

Lawmakers Gayatri Sah and Bishwa Nath Prasad Yadav, who have been made defendants under the Passport Act-1967, were arrested on April 19, for tampering with their passports numbered 019827 and 019893, respectively.

Learn More