32 civilians killed in PoK unrest: Rights group
ISLAMABAD, June 17: The International Human Rights Foundation has condemned the alleged violent crackdown by Pakistani authorities on peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), claiming that more than 32 civilians, including a woman, were killed between June 8 and 16. The organisation said the crackdown was accompanied by an internet and mobile network shutdown, deployment of paramilitary forces and the arrest of more than 100 activists and leaders. The rights body also criticised travel restrictions into the region and the arrest of journalist Sohrab Barkat. According to IHRF, the actions followed the banning of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) under anti-terror laws. Meanwhile, Amnesty International criticised the prolonged communications blackout and movement restrictions, saying they disrupted access to essential services, healthcare, information and documentation of alleged human rights violations. (IANS)
Taiwan delegates denied entry to Ocean Summit by China
TAIPEI, June 17: Taiwan has accused China of pressuring Kenya to block Taiwanese experts from attending the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, describing the move as diplomatic intimidation. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, academics who had been officially invited by Kenyan authorities participated in a pre-conference event but were later denied access to the main conference after Kenyan officials refused to recognise their Taiwanese passports. Taiwan alleged that the delegates were detained for nearly 20 hours, with their passports and mobile phones confiscated before being allowed to leave. The government lodged a formal protest with Kenya and urged China to stop actions that hinder international cooperation and exclude Taiwan from global forums. Taiwan also criticised the decision as contrary to the conference’s principles of inclusivity and cooperation, eventually withdrawing from the event after being excluded despite participating since 2015. (ANI)
Russian artist’s murder may be political: PM
WARSAW, June 17: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the killing of Russian artist Robert Kuzovkov appears to bear the hallmarks of a political assassination, although authorities are still investigating and have not reached a final conclusion. Kuzovkov, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was shot dead near his home in the eastern Polish city of Biala Podlaska on Monday. The artist was known for paintings mocking Putin, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and other Russian officials. Prosecutors said an unidentified gunman fired several shots at close range before fleeing. Tusk noted that Kuzovkov had previously been offered protection by Polish authorities but declined it. He warned that if Russia were proven responsible, it would represent a serious international incident and potentially an act of state terrorism. (AP)
