Pak rights body condemns terror charges against 7-year-old boy
Islamabad, Aug 2: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the registration of terrorism charges against a seven-year-old boy in Balochistan, calling the move a “grave violation of human rights” and a disturbing reflection of the misuse of anti-terror laws in the country. “In Turbat, Balochistan, registering an FIR under terrorism clauses against a 7-year-old minor is highly condemnable and a severe violation of human rights,” read a statement issued by the HRCP. “This incident occurred when an innocent child uploaded a video on YouTube that included a speech by human rights activist Gulzar Dost. Labelling the mere sharing of a video as terrorism is an example of the unbalanced use of state power,” the statement added. (IANS)
US Court keeps order blocking immigration sweeps
Los Angeles, Aug 2: A federal appeals court ruled Friday night to uphold a lower court’s temporary order blocking the Trump administration from conducting indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in Southern California. The federal government asked the court to overturn a temporary restraining order issued July 12 by Judge Maame E Frimpong, arguing it hindered their enforcement of immigration law. Immigrant advocacy groups filed suit last month accusing the US administration of systematically targeting brown-skinned people during the crackdown on illegal immigration. (AP)
Rival protestors face off outside hotel housing migrants
London, Aug 2: Anti-immigrant and anti-racism demonstrators faced off in London on Saturday in the latest in a series of protests outside hotels housing asylum-seekers. Several hundred protesters waving Union Jacks gathered outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in central London, calling for it to be closed as housing for migrants. Chants including “Scum” and “Britain is full” were directed at the hotel. Police separated the demonstrators from a larger group of counter-protesters chanting “refugees are welcome here,” as people inside the hotel watched from windows. (AP)
Air India crash: UK families await update on DNA-matched remains
London, Aug 2: British families, waiting for the remains of relatives aboard the London-bound Air India 171 plane that crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, are expecting confirmation on DNA matches after high-level India-UK government talks, their legal team has said. Keystone Law, which has been working with aviation experts to assist many of the families who lost loved ones in the June 12 crash, called for urgency in the process this week. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s UK visit, Downing Street had confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had discussed the plane crash during their bilateral talks against the backdrop of UK media reports of mislabelling of some remains repatriated to Britain. (PTI)