Human Rights Under Siege: Rising Extremism & Erosion of Freedoms in South Asia

During the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, a seminar brought attention to worsening human rights situations in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Hosted by the Forum on Inter-Cultural & Inter-Religious Dialogue and the Asian-Eurasian Human Rights Forum, the event gathered activists, journalists, and analysts to address the erosion of civil liberties and the rise of religious extremism in both countries.

Speakers detailed the persistent threats posed by terrorist elements, often linked to Pakistan-based networks, targeting civilians in India to incite religious discord. Sultan Shahin, Founder of New Age Islam, highlighted the deliberate communal targeting in recent attacks, which ironically fostered greater unity among Indians, especially in Kashmir.

Concerns about Bangladesh focused on the increasing 'mobocracy' and the deteriorating human rights landscape under a government allegedly supported by Western countries. Dr. Nuran Nabi criticized the current administration for fostering fundamentalism rather than peace. The seminar concluded with calls for intensified international intervention to safeguard human rights defenders and vulnerable groups.