Human Rights

New Delhi, Mar 12 (PTI) Opposition parties on Thursday panned the government as well as the police over the Delhi violence last month that claimed over 50 lives, and warned that the spread of the "communal virus" would eventually pose to a threat to democracy.

Taking part in a short-duration debate in Rajya Sabha on the recent law and order situation in some parts of Delhi, some Opposition members said the "communal virus" being unleashed by the BJP was "no less harmful" than the coronavirus.

Rishikesh, Mar 12 (PTI) A 33-year-old woman from the US was allegedly raped by a man at a yoga centre here, police said on Thursday.

The accused has been identified as Gitansh (26), an attendant at Rishikeshnath Yogashala, they said.

Srinagar, Mar 13 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday revoked the Public Safety Act against former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, officials said.

In an order, state Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra said the PSA invoked on Abdullah on September 17 and further extended on December 13, has been revoked.

The order comes into force with immediate effect.

New Delhi, Mar 13 (PTI) Environment minister Gopal Rai on Friday moved a resolution in the Delhi Assembly against implementation of the National Population Register in the national capital and said if executed, it should be applied using the procedure of 2010.

Rai said the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens(NRC) are not only meant for a "particular religion" but will also impact the majority population.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Friday that New Zealanders have become more engaged with the Muslim community in the year since a gunman killed 51 people at two mosques.

Ardern was in Christchurch attending events to mark the anniversary of last year’s March 15 massacre, which she has described as one of New Zealand’s darkest days. On Friday she attended a special joint prayer with members of both mosques that were attacked, and on Sunday she plans to attend a national memorial.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Fifty-one people were killed and dozens more injured when a lone gunman attacked two mosques in Christchurch last year. New Zealanders will commemorate those who died on the anniversary of the mass killing Sunday. Three people whose lives were forever altered that day say it has prompted changes in their career aspirations, living situations and in the way that others perceive them.

Aya Al-Umari

Aya’s older brother Hussein, 35, was killed in the attack at the Al Noor mosque.

12 Mar 2020; MEMO: The European Union on Wednesday has called on the Greek authorities to investigate the Greek security forces’ use of violence and illegal practices against asylum seekers and migrants trying to pass into Europe.

European Commission spokesperson, Adalbert Jahnz told reporters in Brussels that the Greek authorities face an exceptional situation and fulfill a difficult task; however, he added that “they have to do this by conforming to basic rights and moderately.”

12 Mar 2020; MEMO: Leading Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem has described the country’s Attorney General’s objection to International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction in Palestine as “divorced from reality”.

12 Mar 2020; MEMO: Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper revealed that retired Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has recently visited Damascus secretly, followed by Head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, who also attended the Syrian capital last mid-week, in light of coordinating efforts against Turkey.

12 Mar 2020; MEMO: The first trial of suspected members of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s intelligence services for crimes against humanity, including torturing and killing opposition activists, will start next month, a German court said on Tuesday.

According to the Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), it will be the first-ever legal proceedings in the world over state-sponsored torture in Syria.