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Baloch rights group amplifies voice in Geneva

The ongoing enforced disappearances in Balochistan are a stark example of serious human rights violations. Thousands of Baloch men, women, children, and elderly individuals have fallen victim to this persecution…reports Asian Lite News

The leaders and activists of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) are holding meetings with diplomats, international organisations, and academics in Geneva to intensify advocacy for the Baloch cause on the international stage against rights violations by Pakistan.

Niaz Baloch, the Deputy Coordinator of the BNM Foreign Committee and Member of BNM’s Central Committee posted on X: “Over the past two days, we had meetings with diplomats, international organizations, and academics. We discussed the challenges the Baloch nation is currently facing and sought support for our national movement. The response was positive and impressive.

Earlier, BNM chairman Dr Naseem Baluch raised the issue of enforced disappearances on social media. In a post on X, he said “In the modern era of the 21st century, forced disappearances have become an integral part of life for many Baloch people, filled with unbelievable horrors that we endure daily. Over the past fifteen years, this experience has not been a mere passage of time but a continuous series of agonizing, anxiety-ridden, and unjust moments. For the family and friends of Deen Muhammad Baloch, these years have been marked by terrible waiting and uncertainty.”

The ongoing enforced disappearances in Balochistan are a stark example of serious human rights violations. Thousands of Baloch men, women, children, and elderly individuals have fallen victim to this persecution.

“These disappearances not only violate human rights but also suggest that human life and dignity hold no value in the eyes of the Pakistani state,” said Baluch.

Dr Naseem highlighted that the silence of international justice institutions exacerbates this problem. “Why do these organizations, which are supposed to protect human rights and deliver justice, neglect their responsibilities? Their indifference and silence have granted the Pakistani state immunity, allowing the continued, unabated series of enforced disappearances,” he asked.

The BNM chairman emphasized that the Baloch nation is striving to alert the world to this cruelty.

He urged saying “We must stand up for the oppressed, who have been forced into this dark path without any crime. We need to do much more than our current efforts to recover the missing persons. The fight for justice for Dr Deen Muhammad Baloch and other forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals are not just the responsibility of his family and party but of all individuals. Our silence or indifference will turn our country into a symbol of pain and an unbearable place. We appeal to the international community and human rights institutions to fulfill their responsibilities and take notice of the atrocities committed in Pakistan. It is time for the international community to awaken and meet the demands of justice.”

The BNM continues to push for international attention and action regarding the human rights abuses and enforced disappearances occurring in Balochistan. (ANI)

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Abdullah meets President of ICRC in Geneva

The two sides reviewed the initiatives undertaken by the UAE to deliver humanitarian aid to affected regions and peoples around the world…reports Asian Lite News

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has met with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.

During the meeting, discussions were held on joint cooperation between the UAE and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the humanitarian and relief fields, as well as efforts to support the humanitarian needs of affected civilians in the Gaza Strip, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan and Afghanistan.

The two sides reviewed the initiatives undertaken by the UAE to deliver humanitarian aid to affected regions and peoples around the world. They discussed mechanisms to enhance international cooperation in support of the humanitarian response system for civilians in the Gaza Strip.

They also touched upon regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire to contribute to the protection of the lives of all civilians and the provision of the necessary humanitarian support to the Palestinian people.

The UAE Top Diplomat stressed the importance of the humanitarian and relief role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross, praising the Committee’s outstanding efforts and its keenness to fulfil the noble humanitarian tasks entrusted to it in the best possible manner.

Sheikh Abdullah pointed out the keenness of the UAE, represented by its humanitarian arms and institutions concerned, to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross and extend a helping hand and humanitarian assistance to those in need around the world.

He affirmed that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip requires concerted efforts by the international community to establish a global humanitarian response system conducive to providing relief to civilians in the Strip in a safe, uninterrupted manner that would ultimately contribute to alleviating their suffering.

The meeting was attended by Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, and Ambassador Jamal Al Musharakh, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva,

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‘Walk the Talk’ Yoga event in Geneva

The delegates and WHO Chief re-energised themselves with yoga asanas at the event, held at the Place des Nations (Palace of Nations) in Geneva, Switzerland…reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of International Yoga Day, India’s Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra and World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus performed yoga aasanas at the ‘Walk the Talk’ Yoga session event held in Geneva.

Health Secretary Apurva Chandra and WHO Director General were joined by other senior officers of the Indian delegation for the event organised by India, UN Geneva and WHO in Geneva.

The delegates and WHO Chief re-energised themselves with yoga asanas at the event, held at the Place des Nations (Palace of Nations) in Geneva, Switzerland.

“For the upcoming occasion of International Yoga Day, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra joined by DG WHO Dr Tedros and other senior officers of the Indian delegation, re-energised themselves with yoga aasanas at the ‘Walk the Talk’ Yoga session event held at Place des Nations organised by India, UN Geneva and WHO in Geneva, Switzerland,” the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said in a post shared on X.

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide annually on June 21 since 2015, after PM Modi’s proposal to dedicate a day to celebrating the ancient Indian fitness routine was formally accepted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

In his 2014 address to the UNGA, Prime Minister Modi proposed June 21 as the date for marking International Yoga Day, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has a special significance in many parts of the world.

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

Last year, Prime Minister Modi led a special Yoga session on the lawns of the UN headquarters to mark the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga.

PM Modi said, “Yoga comes from India, it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free of copyrights, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal.” (ANI)

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MEA summons Swiss envoy over anti-India posters in Geneva

At the time when India is serving as the President of the global body G20, the government is taking such incidents seriously…reports Asian Lite News

MEA Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma on Sunday summoned the Swiss Ambassador to India Ralf Heckner and raised the issue of unfounded and malicious anti-India posters in front of the UN building in Geneva, according to sources.

The Swiss Ambassador said that he would convey India’s concerns to Berne with all the seriousness it deserves. Posters in Geneva are part of space provided to all, but in no way endorse the claims, nor reflect the position of the Swiss Government, Heckner said.

The Swiss envoy also added that the posters in Geneva are part of the space provided to all, but in no way endorse the claims, nor reflect the position of the Swiss Government.

Recently, a video went viral on social media where several posters seen outside the United Nations building in Switzerland’s Geneva, claimed that women and minorities in India are treated like “slaves”, among other hateful things.

The viral video shows an Indian student exposing anti-India propaganda in the form of posters in an area that houses the main UN building, United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), and other important offices.

Indians have expressed displeasure on the video, which has received views in thousands. “They can’t stop India now anymore, India is ready to fly to the top of the table. India is rising, India is growing, India is developing,” one user said.

“Many country has problem with India’s strong foreign policy and neutral stance in many issue of present time such as Russia’s military action on Ukraine,matter of Iran and many more,” said another.

At the time when India is serving as the President of the global body G20, the government is taking such incidents seriously.

India has faced such campaigns in multiple countries, with recent reports claiming Khalistani supporters clashing with Indians in Australia. The ‘India Out Campaign’ in the Maldives is another example of such anti-India campaign, media reported.

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Pak diplomats in Geneva face rights abuse charges

The Swissinfo reported that Pakistani officials misused the legitimation card, a special card that diplomats give to their employees and that is issued by the Swiss mission. The officials forced them to agree to work more than 10 hours a week without any compensation

Pakistani embassy diplomats in Geneva have been accused of not paying six Filipino workers for more than 20 years, Swissinfo reported.

These workers accuse the Pakistani mission of violating an assurance. As per the deal, they are eligible to get a proper wage, accommodation and social security.

The Swissinfo reported that Pakistani officials misused the legitimation card, a special card that diplomats give to their employees and that is issued by the Swiss mission. The officials forced them to agree to work more than 10 hours a week without any compensation.

They had to work for other people also to make enough money to survive in a city like Geneva.

A formal complaint has been filed at the Geneva Public Prosecutor’s Office with the assistance from Inter-professional Trade Union.

“For decades, these domestic workers have been silenced by their fear of losing their residence status,” Mirella Falco, head of the SIT workers union, told Swissinfo. “If they are dismissed, they have two months to find another diplomatic employer. If not, they have no choice but to leave or go underground.”

Employees have petitioned Switzerland’s Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis through SIT. In their letter, they expressed their displeasure with the atrocities they had endured and requested the support from Switzerland.

The union is encouraging the government to take steps to put a halt to these abuses, including tightening the regulations governing working conditions and residence permits in the diplomatic community.