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Wednesday, February 25, 2026
TopicHuman rights activists

Topic: Human rights activists

Pakistan court’s 17-yr jail term to human rights lawyers over social media posts sparks global backlash

EU spokesperson condemned the conviction of Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, saying convictions over social media violate free expression and lawyers’ independence.

Pakistan doesn’t want Norwegian diplomat to attend Imaan Mazari’s trial. It’s ‘unwarranted’

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday summoned the Norwegian ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas, urging him to “respect established diplomatic norms.”

Pakistani activist couple indicted for criticising the military. Citizens hit the streets

The case is based on an FIR report filed by the NCIA in August 2025, based on their tweets that were critical of human rights violations committed by the Pakistan military.

Don’t delay J&K polls, announce timeline for restoration of statehood — human rights panel report

Report is drafted by human rights forum in Jammu & Kashmir comprising informal group of citizens. It also flags concerns over armed attacks in the region, abuse of civil rights & drug use.

‘Mostly totalitarian’ — South Asian activists red-flag ‘floundering democracy’ in region

Virtual event by South Asia Peace Action Network calls on governments in the region to ensure establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions.

Another viral video shows Pakistani elite culture’s problems with restaurant staff

Pakistan’s elite have made the headlines yet again after a 'human rights activist' lashed out at the chef of a Karachi-based restaurant.

Gulalai Ismail, Pashtun activist in exile whose father is now held for ‘terrorism’ in Pakistan

Gulalai Ismail is the founder of NGO 'Aware Girls' that aims to 'empower young women'. She is also a member of rights group Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement.

Threatened with ‘Christmas gift’, Karima Baloch’s death leaves more questions than answers

Living in exile doesn’t mean a peaceful life for Pakistan's human rights activists. And mysterious deaths like Karima Baloch’s only add to the distress.

India using vaguely defined laws to stifle voices of activists, says UN human rights chief

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet Bachelet urges Modi government to review the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and to release people charged under UAPA.

When freedoms are under assault, Aakar Patel won’t look away and ask ‘what’s for lunch?’

What’s going on with Aakar Patel appears to be a frequent question among India’s commentariat. Has he just been reduced to a Modi-Shah baiter today?

On Camera

Kerala, Keral, Keralam. I’m a Malayali and the name change is more annoyance than pride

North Indians are so used to dropping the ‘A’ at the end of Kerala. Now they have to train themselves to add another letter.

‘Dark chapter’ over, Chhattisgarh budget sets Naxal hotbed Bastar on path to ‘education cities’ & tourism

The Vishnu Deo Sai government's 2026-27 budget outlined a post-Naxal era vision for Chhattisgarh's tribal-majority belts of Bastar & Surguja. Finance Minister OP Choudhary presented it Tuesday.

Decoding India’s defence budget & how various govts struggled to spend it—from UPA to NDA

Every February, headlines focus on defence budget allocation. But real question is—how much money was actually spent & why did promise-delivery gap widen in some years, narrow in others?

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.