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Latest news from and about the homeland

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)…

Russia warns Syria against use of chemical weapons

The Russian Foreign Ministry has released a statement warning the Syrain regime against the use of chemical weapons, as fighting continues to rage in the country.

In the statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry reminded Syria that it in 1968 it had ratified an international protocol prohibiting the use of such weapons, stating,
“The Russian side proceeds from the assumption that Syrian authorities will continue to strictly adhere to the undertaken international obligations,” 

Buddhist monks attempt to block aid to Muslims

Members of the Buddhist clergy in Burma have called on people to shun the Rohingya Muslim community.

Monks’ organisations were seen near Rohingya refugee camps, blocking attempts to deliver aid to the Rohingyas, living in ‘desperate’ conditions, according to human rights organisations.

Ban Ki-moon urges world leaders to end ‘slaughter’

UN Gen Sec Ban Ki-moon has called on world leaders to end violence in Syria.

"I make a plea to the world - do not delay... Act now to stop the slaughter...," Mr Ban said.

Syrian troops are reportedly moving into Aleppo, Syria’s second city and location of the severe recent clashes, amidst fears of fresh massacres as the Syrian army will attempt to quash the new outbreaks of resistance.

Clashes are still ongoing in Damascus, where anti-government activists have said that 23 people were killed in a massacre.

Genocides 'are always planned' - Clinton

Speaking at an event organised by the Holocaust museum, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, stressed that genocides and mass atrocities were not spontaneous occurrences, but "are always planned".

Clinton said,

"Despite all we have learned and accomplished in the last 70 years, 'never again' remains an unmet, urgent goal."

Iran appeals to UNHRC over killings of Rohingyas

Iran's ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Mohammed Reza Sajjidi, appealed to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Navi Pillay, to ensure immediate action on the killing of Rohingyas in Myanmar.

Grave persecution of ethnic minorities in Burma - AI

Amnesty International said that despite Burma’s progress in aspects of democratic reform, the situation for ethnic minorities still remains grave.

U.S. official - Further progress needed to lift Burma import ban

The United States have declined to state whether an import ban on Burmese goods will be lifted in the future, with an official commenting that the country had more reforming to do.

According to Reuters, Under Secretary of State Robert Hormats told the Center for Strategic and International Studies that he was pleased with the path that Burma was currently taking. Having met with  Myanmar's President Thein Sein earlier this month with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Hormats said,

Arab League calls on Assad to go

The Arab League has called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, the BBC reports.

After an emergency meeting in Qatar, Arab League foreign ministers called on President Assad to resign rapidly, and offered his family safe passage out of Syria.

Meanwhile, the EU is to tighten sanctions and an arms embargo against President Assad's government, the BBC also reported.

Zimbabwe sanctions will be suspended ‘after referendum’ – EU

The European Union has said it will suspend all sanctions against Zimbabwe once a referendum is held on a new constitution.

In a statement, released on Monday, EU foreign ministers said that this would be an ‘important milestone’ towards holding democratic elections.

Sanctions would be suspended on over 100 individuals, who are subject to a travel ban and asset freeze.

Obama to Assad: ‘The world is watching’

As Syria announced their first ever acknowledgement that it possesses chemical weapons, US President Barack Obama has warned the Syrian regime against their deployment.

Earlier on Monday, Syrian Foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi confirmed that they held chemical weapons, but declared that they would not be deployed “during the crisis in Syria no matter what the developments inside Syria”. He did state however, that they would only be used if “Syria is exposed to external aggression”.