Salem-News.com Peace articles

India: Human Rights Defender Samiul Biswas in Judicial Custody

Samiul Biswas has been instrumental in documenting human rights violations along the India-Bangladesh border.

(YORK, UK) - According to the information received from Front Line Defenders, on 19 March 2019, the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court remanded human rights defender Samiul Biswas in custody at Krishnanagar District Jail.

Biswas had been arrested the previous day by the Border Security Force (BSF) of the Mahakhola Border Outpost near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on charges of theft relating to his “possession” of Bangladeshi currency and a Bangladeshi SIM card, the evidence for which is believed to have been falsified.

Fair Trial: Asia Bibi Not Guilty of Blasphemy

The US has conveyed concerns about Christian persecution in Pakistan, while Pakistan simply denies it.

(ISLAMABAD) - The Supreme Court of Pakistan finally set aside a review petition of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, accused of blasphemy, after she spent more than 8 years in prison, in solitary confinement.

The decision is being warmly welcomed by human rights activists in the local and international community. The judgement is unclear, however, regarding what action will be taken against those who falsely accused her of blasphemy and gave false testimonies to mislead the court and public.

Bangladesh: Release Mr. Shahidul Alam Immediately from Arbitrary Detention

An open letter to the Honourable Ambassadors of Bangladesh

(UNITED KINGDOM) - I am writing to voice my deep concern about the arbitrary arrest of an award-winning photographer, academic and human rights defender Shahidul Alam.

I have been informed... about the arbitrary detention and torture of Mr. Shahidul Alam, photographer and founder of the Drik photo agency and of the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute.

Could Tough Love Salvage Lebanon?

Problems for Lebanon’s economy and political status continue to mount

(BEIRUT) - “You could qualify for U.S. and Western aid to salvage Lebanon or you can cede what’s left of your country’s sovereignty to Iran. But you cannot do both.” A US Congressional staffer after his boss recently introduced legislation to cut off all aid to Lebanon until it “cleans its house of Iranian militia and restores Lebanese sovereignty.”

The Multiple Stepmothers of Daesh (ISIS) in Syria - Part I

UN agencies have repeatedly been threatened with expulsion from Syria if they deviate from the widely disputed claimed number of 350,000 people killed, whereas, the facts support the number to be over a million.

(SYRIA) - Last month, 186 of the 193-Member States of the UN claimed that they want all foreign forces out of Syria. Iran with its 18 Shia militia recruited from the region, Russia, America, France, the UK—the Lot.

Most urgently wanting all these countries and their proxies out of Syria are naturally the people of Syria themselves- and the Lebanese, Iraqis, Yemeni and others is this region dying in Syria for nothing.

Syria`s New Law Number Ten Devastates Sunni Refugees

Refugees forced to flee Syria have experienced one or more war crime or crime against humanity.

(BEIRUT) - Law Number 10 sets in motion a massive political and legal overhaul of the government land registry and gives Syrian refugees, whether inside the country or abroad just 30 days to prove ownership of their houses and property. All Syrian refugees must present their deeds to local council offices in the country.

As of today, 5/4/2018, they have one week and if they fail to do so the state will liquidate their titles and seize their holdings.

Surviving Syrian Refugees Shut Out by Lebanon`s Politicians

Lebanon’s politicians insist Syrian refugees "Return to Syria Now!" But to what?

(Syrian-Lebanon border) - “Uridu an aouda ela bayti fi Sourya!” (“I want to return home to Syria!”)

These are the words perhaps most regularly heard by Meals for Syrian Refugee Children in Lebanon (MSRCL) volunteers and other NGO’s who work with Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. The same yearning is expressed by orphan children’s fellow squatters and remaining extended family members.

Syrian Sentinels Risking Their Lives to Save Fellow Citizens

342 children were killed and 803 were injured in Syria in the first two months of 2018

(Marjeh Square, DAMASCUS) - Described as the "bloodiest" day since a Russian-sponsored truce failed to stop the onslaught and since a UN Security Council resolution was unsuccessful at implementing a 30-day ceasefire, Syrian government forces resumed the shelling of the Damascus suburb for the 16th consecutive day on 3/6/2018.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has reported that the bombardment of the enclave has killed more than 70 civilians in 24 hours, bringing that days total to more than 100.

Iran`s Women Standing Strong

As Iran’s women continue to rise and fly their Hijabs... Woe be unto the Mullahs

(OXFORD) - 29 Iranian women were arrested for challenging Iran’s theocratic regime. But they have just begun to fight.

Women across the country climbed on telecom boxes, took off their headscarves and waved them aloft on sticks, protesting the law that makes wearing the hijab compulsory. Now, nearly 30 women are behind bars, with at least one being held on $100,000 bail. That won't stop the movement.

Syrian War Winding Down - What`s Next?

If the war ended now it would take 10 to 15 years for Syria’s per capita GDP to return to pre-conflict levels.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - Russia appears to be taking the central role in a major diplomatic push to finally end the seven-year civil war all but won by Assad with Russia's backing.

Syrian forces have reclaimed most of the country from Islamist militants and insurgents who had sought to topple Assad, including rebel groups backed by the U.S. and some of its allies.