WORLD NEWS

World News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Baloch activists accuse state-backed death squads of new killings
Photograph: Screenshot/ BLA video A fresh wave of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances has been documented across Balochistan this month, as Baloch rights groups recorded the recovery of several bodies of men who had earlier been forcibly taken, and appealed once more to international institutions that have largely ignored the province. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)…

CoI into Syria finds sufficient evidence for prosecution

Mar 17, 2014
The latest oral update on the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, highlighted several cases of unlawful killings, torture and other forms of ill-treatment, sexual and gender-based violence, violations of children’s rights, attacks on hospitals and unlawful sieges and barricades.

Religious leaders from CAR warn of genocidal war

Mar 17, 2014
Leading religious figures from the Central Afircan Republic (CAR) travelled to the United Nations in New York to warn of an impending genocidal war in the CAR.

In a joint statement, a leading Catholic prelate, Protestant leader and Islamic imam stressed the threat of a ‘genocidal war’ between religious factions in the country.

Ukraine authorises military to act in self-defence as Crimea joins Russian federation

Mar 17, 2014
Ukraine’s military announced today that one of its officers had been killed after Russian forces stormed a military base in Crimea.

The Russian attack came shortly after the Russian President Vladmir Putin and leaders in Crimea signed a declaration that joined Crimea wit the Russian federation.

Ukraine has no authorised its troops to fire in self-defence.

Speaking at an emergency government meeting, the interim Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said,

US and EU impose sanctions on Russia; Ukraine strengthens military

Mar 16, 2014
The United States and European Union, imposed sanctions on Russian and Crimean officials involved in the separation of Crimea from Ukraine, after Russian President Vladmir Putin signed a decree that declared Crimea a sovereign state today.

Anticipating further moves by Russia to appropriate other parts of Ukraine, the US President, Barack Obama, said,

“If Russia continues to interfere in Ukraine, we stand ready to impose further sanctions.”

China rejects CoI findings and recommendations in North Korea

Mar 16, 2014
A U.N report outlining severe crimes against humanity committed by North-Korea was rejected by China at the United Nations Human Rights Council today.

A counsellor at China’s mission to Geneva, Chen Chuandong, told the UNHRC that the independent commission of inquiry set up by the council had made accusations and recommendations that were “divorced from reality.”

“The inability of the commission to get support and cooperation from the country concerned makes it impossible for the commission to carry out its mandate in an impartial objective, and effective manner,” Chuandong said.

Venezuelan military clears protestors in violent crackdown

Mar 16, 2014
Venezualean troops stormed a square in Caracus, to evict protestors that had occupied the area in six weeks of anti-president demonstrations.

Soldiers of the Venezualean National Guard stormed the square using teargas and water cannons to overthrow hundreds of demonstrators.

Commenting on the National Guard’s actions, President Maduro, said,

“We are going to carry on liberating spaces taken by the protesters.”

Ukraine and Russia to observe 5 day cease-fire

Mar 15, 2014
Russia and Ukraine agreed a truce in Crimea, until 21 March, Ukraine’s acting defence minister, Ihor Tenyukh, announced as a referendum on Crimea’s future took place today.

Commenting on the development, Tenyukh, said,

“No measures will be taken against our military facilities in Crimea during this time. Our military sites are therefore proceeding with a replenishment of reserves.”

China activist death 'deeply disturbs' US

Mar 15, 2014

Chinese activist Cao Shunli has died at a hospital in Beijing, after being denied medical treatment for several months, according to her lawyers.

The human rights activist was on her way to Geneva for a UN training course when she was arrested by Chinese police in September last year.

US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the US was “deeply disturbed” by the reports of Cao Shunli’s death, adding that the US had repeatedly raised concerns about the activist’s detention and health issues with the Chinese government.

Crimea votes to join Russia; US rejects result

Mar 15, 2014
Russian state media said today, that people in Criema voted overwhelmingly to separate from Ukraine and join Russia today.

RIA news agency said that 93 percent backed the separation as the voting polls closed at 1800 GMT. The turnout was also recorded as 80 percent by the Russian monitoring agency.

Commenting on the results, the US Secretary of state John Kerry, told Moscow that Washington would not accept the outcome of the vote.

Russian president, Vladmir Putin, rejected calls by the west that the referendum had been called for illegally.

France jail ex-intel chief over Rwandan genocide

Mar 14, 2014

A court in France has sentenced former Rwandan intelligence chief to 25 years in prison for his role in the genocide, in a landmark trial on Friday.

In France’s first trial over the genocide, 54-year-old Pascal Simbikangwa was found guilty of genocide and complicity to crimes against humanity.

The prosecution described him as a "genocide denier" adding he believed in "extremist Hutu ideology", in the 6 week trial.

CoI into Syria finds sufficient evidence for prosecution
Religious leaders from CAR warn of genocidal war
Ukraine authorises military to act in self-defence as Crimea joins Russian federation
US and EU impose sanctions on Russia; Ukraine strengthens military
China rejects CoI findings and recommendations in North Korea
Venezuelan military clears protestors in violent crackdown
Ukraine and Russia to observe 5 day cease-fire
China activist death 'deeply disturbs' US
Crimea votes to join Russia; US rejects result
France jail ex-intel chief over Rwandan genocide