News for 'Human and Civil Rights'

Sri Lanka rejects Trudeau's 'Tamil Genocide' comment

Sri Lanka rejects Trudeau's 'Tamil Genocide' comment

Rediff.com20 May 2023

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Trudeau's statements, asserting that they contained outrageous claims of genocide relating to past conflicts in the country.

It's a wonder that I made it out alive: Prof Saibaba

It's a wonder that I made it out alive: Prof Saibaba

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

Former Delhi University professor G N Saibaba, who was released from the Nagpur Central Jail on Thursday after his acquittal in an alleged Maoist links case, said it's a 'wonder that he could come out alive' despite suffering the 'brutal' jail life.

India, EU seal civil nuclear energy pact

India, EU seal civil nuclear energy pact

Rediff.com15 Jul 2020

The agreement provides for extensive cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector including in research and development for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, they said.

Indian co to make doors of Airbus 220 planes

Indian co to make doors of Airbus 220 planes

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

Aircraft maker Airbus on Thursday announced awarding a contract to Indian company Dynamatic Technologies for manufacturing all the doors for its next-generation narrow body A220 planes, giving a boost to the 'Make in India' initiative. While financial details were not disclosed, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said it is one of the single-largest export contracts for an Indian aerospace manufacturing company and emphasised that the country is becoming a destination for aircraft component manufacturing activities.

Princess Diana Returns on OTT

Princess Diana Returns on OTT

Rediff.com17 Nov 2023

Death of a princess, deadly Godzilla and detectives galore on OTT this week.

'We Have An Indian Tiger That Needs To Be Uncaged'

'We Have An Indian Tiger That Needs To Be Uncaged'

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

'What's sad today is that there are so many people who cannot find work, not because the country is devoid of that opportunity, but because we are not doing enough in the country.'

'Landslides Used To Be Quite Frequent In The Olden Days'

'Landslides Used To Be Quite Frequent In The Olden Days'

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

'Except that the population was much less.' 'I remember my uncle and family moving away from the base of a hill whenever it rained for more than a couple of days without a dry day in between.' 'Perhaps the older generations knew if it rained for more than a certain time, they must pack up to a camp or to a relative.' 'As some of the interviews of the survivors on the Malayalam television channels show, the elderly people had a premonition a tragedy would happen, and those who acted on those premonitions survived.'

India raps European parliament for vote on Manipur violence

India raps European parliament for vote on Manipur violence

Rediff.com13 Jul 2023

Responding to media queries on the development, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that "such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset".

BJP releases manifesto for LS polls: No NRC in 'Modi ki guarantee'

BJP releases manifesto for LS polls: No NRC in 'Modi ki guarantee'

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a pitch for electing a strong and stable government in an uncertain world beset by geopolitical tensions as the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday released its manifesto, prioritising development and welfare while shunning populist measures and contentious issues like the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

'Mewat never saw Hindu-Muslim clashes'

'Mewat never saw Hindu-Muslim clashes'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2023

'The situation in Nuh could have easily returned to normalcy if the trader class wished so, but they didn't.'

Lok Sabha passes criminal procedure bill, Shah says will defend rights

Lok Sabha passes criminal procedure bill, Shah says will defend rights

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

The contentious bill providing for legal sanction to police to obtain physical and biological samples of convicts and detainees for investigation in criminal matters was passed by Lok Sabha on Monday, with Home Minister Amit Shah asserting it will act as a defender of human rights of law-abiding citizens.

Maoists being encouraged by civil society: WB guv

Maoists being encouraged by civil society: WB guv

Rediff.com21 Jan 2011

Maoists were getting encouragement from civil society and support of well-minded citizens was required to stem the menace, West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan said on Friday."The Maoists are getting the upper hand in people's mind because they are getting encouragement from a section of civil society," Narayanan said. "We need the support of well minded citizens so that matters don't go out of control," he said.

Human trafficking in India

Human trafficking in India

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

In the year 2016, 8132 human trafficking cases have been reported in India.

'The State must be more tolerant of dissent than it is now'

'The State must be more tolerant of dissent than it is now'

Rediff.com2 Jun 2023

'Nearly 13,000 individuals have been charged for sedition since 2010.' 'If the Supreme Court stay ever gets vacated, arrests will follow immediately.'

Desis Rally For Secular India

Desis Rally For Secular India

Rediff.com25 Mar 2024

The Constitution's Preamble says that we Indians have resolved to secure for Indians 'fraternity, assuring the dignity of the individual'. Fraternity can come only when we stand up for each other. The desis of the Boston South Asian Coalition actually attempt to do that, points out Aakar Patel.

'Identity politics responsible for Manipur situation'

'Identity politics responsible for Manipur situation'

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

'The State uses identity politics as part of divide and rule; the militant groups too use identity politics and civil society groups are also divided along ethnic groups.'

UN report names India among countries where rights activists intimidated

UN report names India among countries where rights activists intimidated

Rediff.com13 Sep 2018

The report documents allegations of reprisals and intimidation in 38 countries, some of which are members of the Human Rights Council.

Right to Privacy must be a Fundamental Right

Right to Privacy must be a Fundamental Right

Rediff.com19 Aug 2015

In 1954, a bench of eight Supreme Court judges declared that the Constitution-makers did not recognise the Fundamental Right to Privacy. It is hoped that a larger bench as and when constituted will uphold the Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right overruling the 1954 decision, says the distinguished lawyer, P P Rao.

'Humans have never learned from history'

'Humans have never learned from history'

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

'We need to retell this history from many different perspectives.'

Biden lauds Vanita Gupta as 'proud daughter' of Indian immigrants

Biden lauds Vanita Gupta as 'proud daughter' of Indian immigrants

Rediff.com8 Jan 2021

"As associate attorney general, the number three job at the department, I nominate Vanita Gupta. A woman I've known for some time. One of the most respected civil rights lawyers in America," Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Delaware as he announced some of the key nominations in the Justice Department on Thursday.

Over 6,000 citizens urge SC to revoke remission of Bilkis Bano convicts

Over 6,000 citizens urge SC to revoke remission of Bilkis Bano convicts

Rediff.com18 Aug 2022

Demanding that the remission must be revoked, the citizens noted that the early release of these murderers and rapists only strengthens the impunity of all men who commit rape and other acts of violence against women.

California Senate passes bill banning caste discrimination

California Senate passes bill banning caste discrimination

Rediff.com12 May 2023

Promoters of the bill, being led by non-profit Equality Lab, said that a similar bill is being introduced in the State House of Representatives, before it can be sent to the Governor to be signed into a law.

Extending AFSPA won't solve Manipur crisis: Irom Sharmila

Extending AFSPA won't solve Manipur crisis: Irom Sharmila

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

A day after AFSPA was extended in most parts of Manipur, rights activist Irom Sharmila said the "oppressive law" was not a solution to the conflict in the state.

Lok Sabha clears 3 criminal law bills in absence of Opposition

Lok Sabha clears 3 criminal law bills in absence of Opposition

Rediff.com20 Dec 2023

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three bills to replace the colonial-era criminal laws by voice vote.

Biden nominates Desi lawyer to head office of personnel management

Biden nominates Desi lawyer to head office of personnel management

Rediff.com24 Feb 2021

United States President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American lawyer and rights activist Kiran Ahuja to head the Office of Personnel Management, a federal agency that manages America's more than two million civil servants.

Patna HC ex-CJ-led fact-finding team en route Sandeshkhali detained

Patna HC ex-CJ-led fact-finding team en route Sandeshkhali detained

Rediff.com25 Feb 2024

Citing Section 144 CrPC was in force in parts of Sandeshkhali and it would not be prudent to allow them access to the area even in groups of four-five, senior police officers stopped their convoy at the Bhojerhat area, which is around 52 km from the riverine area, on Basanti Highway.

Open embassy doors for right activists: Hillary

Open embassy doors for right activists: Hillary

Rediff.com10 Dec 2010

"The US is committed to promoting and defending civil society around the world. And we will continue to remind leaders of their responsibilities to their citizens under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," Clinton said in a statement issued on the occasion of Human Rights Day on Friday.

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2023

'These new laws give complete (impunity) to the police.' 'Whatever little accountability the police had, all that is gone now.' 'There is no accountability mechanism against the police for abusing or misusing in the new laws.'

What if 'socialist' and 'secular' go from the Preamble

What if 'socialist' and 'secular' go from the Preamble

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

It is in circumstances like this that the Constitution becomes extremely important. It reminds us that we have a commitment towards higher human values to fulfil, a path to get back to, suggests Shyam G Menon.Else, we risk being rudderless in an ocean of money and majoritarianism, suggests Shyam G Menon.

Indian woman threatens to sue UK minister

Indian woman threatens to sue UK minister

Rediff.com20 Jun 2008

An Indian-origin civil rights campaigner has threatened to sue a cabinet minister for allegedly insinuating that her relationship with former shadow Home Secretary David Davis was inappropriate.Shami Chakrabarti, 39, the prominent director of civil rights group Liberty, has demanded a public apology from Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, who she accuses of tawdry character assassination and innuendo.

Israeli airstrike on Gaza hospital kills hundreds: Health officials

Israeli airstrike on Gaza hospital kills hundreds: Health officials

Rediff.com18 Oct 2023

A Gaza civil defence chief stated on Al-Jazeera television that over 300 people were killed in the explosion at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital.

Celebrating Indonesia's Festival Of Democracy

Celebrating Indonesia's Festival Of Democracy

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

The 'Pesta Demokrasi' is a cause for celebration not only for Indonesia but also for democracy and forces for peace all over the globe, notes Sandeep Chakravorty, India's Ambassador to Indonesia.

'Nobody's Asking Where Money Will Come For Freebies'

'Nobody's Asking Where Money Will Come For Freebies'

Rediff.com24 May 2024

'The prime minister's comment on 'revdi culture' was welcome. But I am disappointed he did not follow up on that.' 'All political parties, including the BJP, have been guilty of this.' 'Now, Modi's guarantees, the Congress's 'nyay' path and both ruling and Opposition parties are vying with each other for freebies in my home state Andhra Pradesh.'

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

Rediff.com16 Oct 2014

'Vanita Gupta is the greatest civil rights lawyer of her generation' Praise comes flying in from all corners Vanita Gupta is appointed acting US Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The 39-year-old is known for her work in criminal justice reforms, legalising marijuana and racial justice, reports Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com.

US lawmakers ask Biden to raise 'areas of concern' with Modi

US lawmakers ask Biden to raise 'areas of concern' with Modi

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

Describing India as an important member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad) and a crucial partner for stability in the Indo-Pacific, the letter said that the lawmakers support the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.

Resolution seeking probe into Stan Swamy's death introduced in US Congress

Resolution seeking probe into Stan Swamy's death introduced in US Congress

Rediff.com6 Jul 2022

A resolution commemorating the life of Indian human rights defender Father Stan Swamy and seeking an independent investigation into the death of the Jesuit priest has been introduced in the US Congress, Congressman Juan Vargas has said.

'Muslims from Nuh have escaped to Rajasthan'

'Muslims from Nuh have escaped to Rajasthan'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2023

'Not only are Muslim homes and shops being bulldozed, but the cops are filing random FIRs even against people who died two-three years ago, against those who have moved to neighbouring states since almost two years to work there.'

Evidence 'planted' on Stan Swamy's computer: Report

Evidence 'planted' on Stan Swamy's computer: Report

Rediff.com13 Dec 2022

"Over 50 files were created on Swamy's hard drive, including incriminating documents that fabricated links between him and the Maoist insurgency," the report said.

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

India, A Miracle And A Wonder

Rediff.com16 Aug 2023

'There are many things we need to work on.' 'At the heart of it is, one, the extent of inequality, which is not good for democracy and nation; two, a structural decline on how a country ought to function, how people should be held accountable, whose role is what.'

70-year-old Telangana RTI activist found dead in stone quarry, 3 held

70-year-old Telangana RTI activist found dead in stone quarry, 3 held

Rediff.com19 Jun 2023

He allegedly hired a contract killing gang to eliminate Ramakrishnaiah, a police official said.