Child abuse in Pakistan
While scrolling through social media, I came across a video that was shocking and heart-wrenching. A young girl was on a bicycle with her little brother in the street when…
Climate Security Takes Center Stage at COP28: Toward a Just and Inclusive Global Energy Transition
During COP28, the urgency of a fair transition from fossil fuels emerged, with a strong emphasis on the critical interconnection between climate change and global security. What happened in Dubai?…
Ghost Flights: An Environmental Menace Above the Clouds
The aviation industry, a crucial driver of global connectivity, has faced growing scrutiny in recent years due to its environmental impact. Among the emerging concerns is the phenomenon of “ghost…
Who bears responsibility for the tragic loss of 52 innocent lives in Mastung, Balochistan?
At least 52 people were killed and more than 50 injured in an explosion in a procession on the occasion of the 12th of Rabi’ul Awwal in Mastung district of…
Plight of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: Uncertain future
A large number of Afghan refugees reside in precarious conditions in different parts of the world. Similarly, Pakistan, sharing a 1600-mile-long border with Afghanistan, has many Afghan refugees under the…
Climate Crisis and Humanitarian Catastrophe: Unraveling the Interplay of Conflict, Refugees, and Environmental Vulnerability in Myanmar’s Rohingya Crisis
Known as the land of Golden Pagodas, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is one of the famous tourist spots renowned for its shimmering temples grown from its rich and vibrant…
Amidst Religious Extremism: Christians as a Vulnerable Minority in Pakistan
On the 16th of August, a mob of religious extremists targeted the Christian community in the eastern part of Pakistan. They engaged in destructive actions, damaging multiple churches and setting…
Increasing Instances of Sexual and Domestic Violence in Sindh
The Ranipur incident has sent shockwaves across Sindh, calling into question the performance of the police and the dominance of influential religious and political leaders in our society. The brutal…
PTM’s loud and peaceful message in Islamabad
The Long March of 18th August, while successful in conveying the community’s message to the authorities, once again marks a dark chapter in the history of the state’s management of…
Pashtun Long March to Islamabad
There seems to be no respite to the Pashtun Community’s woes in the recent month. After many years of hard-won peace, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital Peshawar has become the main target…
The Taliban’s Onslaught on Ashura Processions
Afghanistan has been grappling with escalating violence and religious persecution, particularly against the Shia Muslim community. Ashura is a solemn day of mourning observed by Shia Muslims worldwide. It falls…
The making of migrants’ illegality in Europe’s borders
The realities of migrants reaching Europe mainly though the Mediterranean routes are heavily characterised by their lived experiences and stories of illegal pushbacks and violence. The strict EU migration policies…
One Health approach: the response to future challenges to public health
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the importance of taking a One Health approach to public health. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and…
Detentions, disappearances and terror attacks: Return of instabilities in North Waziristan
“Our village people and village children were wearing new clothes for Eid. Our village people and children were all celebrating Eid but in my house, we were all sad and…
Wrestlers Protest in India – A Call for Justice
In 2023, a wave of protests has rocked the wrestling community in India as Olympic medal-winning wrestlers rallied against the sexual assault experienced by eight alleged wrestlers at the hands…
Peace for Asia interviews Ms. Fawzia Koofi
Peace for Asia interviewed Ms. Fawzia Koofi, a former parliamentarian from Afghanistan, who served as the Vice President of the National Assembly. During the negotiations with the Taliban, Ms. Koofi…
Continuing policy of enforced disappearances
On 9th May, Pakistan witnessed massive protests and rioting against the armed forces for their alleged role in Imran Khan’s brief abduction from a court hearing. The present situation also…
Ali Wazir: Tortured but not Subdued
A member of the National Assembly (MNA) from South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader, Ali Wazir released on February 14, from Karachi’s Central…
Remembering Professor Arman Luni
Professor Arman Luni’s father, Mohammad Ismail had a desire in his heart that he and his daughters get justice but his wish could not be fulfilled while he was alive.…
Asylum seekers in the grip of Fast Fashion in Italy
In an industrial area like Prato (Italy), it is common to see pieces of fabric falling from white trucks on the streets as they drive through the city at the…
Climate Change as a driver of Migration and Displacement
Climate change has become increasingly recognized as one of the greatest threats to human well-being, with the potential to undermine development gains and exacerbate existing inequalities. Migration, both internal and…
An Island of Ignorance: The Taliban’s failed Image-makeover, Manufacturing of Legitimacy, and the Future of Afghan Women
A few days ago, Matiullah Wesa, a prominent social activist and founder of Pen Path, an organization dedicated to educating Afghan children, was detained by the Taliban. According to Matiullah’s…
PTM Supporters under threat in Afghanistan
Five-year-old Zarghuna and seven-year-old Ajmal, living in Helmand, Afghanistan, have spent sleepless nights awaiting the return of their missing father, Noorayel Kaliwal. Human rights violations have become serious after the…
Shining a Light on Energy Poverty in Asia: The Impact and Solutions
As the world’s largest energy consumer, Asia is home to more than half of the global population and is the primary driver of global energy demand. With many countries in…
Missing Persons in Swat
Swat Valley is a scenic tourist destination and attracted tourists from all over the world in the pre-9/11 times. When the US and NATO invaded Afghanistan, the reactionaries in Waziristan…
Food safety and security: the key for a sustainable future
Food safety and security are critical components of a sustainable future. While food safety refers to the measures taken to ensure that food is free from contamination and safe for…
Webinar: Five Years of PTM
On 15th February, Peace for Asia organized a webinar to mark five years of the establishment of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement. The webinar was hosted by Zubair Shah Agha, a…
Missing Persons: The Long Road to Justice
Enforced disappearances or the issue of missing persons has long been a serious problem in Balochistan. According to various organizations working for Baloch missing persons, the number of Baloch missing…
PTM’s Protest Camp for Missing Persons
The Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) renewed its struggle against the extrajudicial killings of Pashtuns, with senior lawyer Latif Afridi being the latest casualty. The central leadership of PTM including PTM…
Justice Denied
Recently, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Karachi acquitted SSP Rao Anwar and all other accused in the well-known Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case. Human rights organizations expressed dismay and termed the decision…
Technology Developments for the Green Transformation of the Textile Industry
Textiles have a significant impact on the environment throughout their entire life cycle. From the production of raw materials, through manufacturing and use, to the disposal of clothing and other…
The Plight of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan’s Prisons
The Taliban’s takeover of Kabul had a massive impact on the Afghan refugees in Pakistan but unfortunately went relatively unnoticed in the international media. An estimated two thousand Afghan refugees…
‘The new frontier of sustainable tourism: Its contribution to the DSI index’
A recent study published by the World Tourism Organization presents an alarming figure: it is estimated that by 2030 world travelers will reach almost 2 billion. The exponential growth of…
The Deception of Caste: The Indian Diaspora in Universities Abroad
India and its society is a conundrum that has baffled scholars from national and international forums alike. The regional diversities, ethnic variations and their socio-cultural manifestations in a space where…
Blockchain for sustainable development
What is blockchain? Starting from its definition “blockchain is a digitally distributed, decentralized ledger that helps to verify and trace multistep transactions.” The core competencies of blockchain technology, according to…
An appeal to the Global Conscience: Our Presidents message
5th August, 2021: This day is a reminder that it has been a year since the Taliban captured our beloved nation of 35 million. While a lot of families are…
Swedish Court ruling on Iran
On July 14 a court in Sweden issued a historic ruling in convicting a former Iranian regime official to life in prison for his role in the 1988 prison massacre…
Turkey’s Conflict with the Kurdish Groups and Impact on its Regional Image
Iraq’s government accused Turkey of carrying out an artillery strike that killed 9 civilians in the town of Zakho in Iraqi Kurdistan late last month, and although Turkish authorities have…
The Tragedy in Ziarat and the case of Missing Persons
In an unfortunate incident in Pakistan’s Balochistan, an officer was abducted by separatists and brutally killed in a rescue operation. Notwithstanding the deep sympathies with the officer who died young,…
The Perpetuation of Discrimination: The Caste Question in IITs and IIMs
One of the most unique systems of social stratification exists in South Asia. The “caste” system finds its origin in the Indian subcontinent as espoused under Hinduism. However, the impact…
Ethnic profiling of the Pashtuns
A few weeks ago, former police officer Rao Anwar spoke to a leading Pakistani media channel discussing his stance on the killing of Naquibullah Mehsud. A budding model from the…
The Sri Lankan Debacle
Sri Lanka had its own moment of the ‘Arab Spring’ during April 2022 when the masses overthrew the autocratic rule, highlighting the rampant corruption and rising poverty. On July 9,…
Sustainable Fashion: The New Frontier
Amid the era of fast fashion, consumers, especially the youth, have developed a new and growing awareness. They are willing to pay a higher price for greener, ethical, and long-lasting…
Europe Day Meet
With its expanding presence, Peace for Asia marked its first offline participatory activity amidst European policy spaces. On the occasion of Europe Day, the Institute for a Greater Europe organized…
“The sea is eating all the sand” – The sinking island of Tuvalu in the Asia Pacific Ocean
Note: This is the second part of the two-article series on the dangers faced by Tuvalu. It is unfortunate that Asia’s tiny islands are hardly part of global discussions on…
Interview with UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
To watch the interview click here On 25th April, Peace for Asia interviewed UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights defenders Ms Mary Lawlor. The discussion touched upon multiple themes, beginning…
The new report on the state of SDGs in Asia and the Pacific: rising inequalities in the aftermath of Covid-19
The new Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2022, released earlier in March, provides and in-dept analysis of the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia and…
The Hinrich Sustainable Trade Index: the future of Asian countries
Following the developments of the last decade it is possible to affirm that Asia is indeed a fast-growing economy. Trade-led growth has dramatically reduced poverty in Asia. As a matter…
Pashtuns Call for Justice
Ali Wazir, the central leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and Pakistan’s elected member of the National Assembly, has been in jail for 15 months now. He was arrested from…
The Ukraine-Russia Crisis: Perspectives from the EU
To watch the webinar click here Heidi Maurer is a researcher in the e-governance and administration department at the Danube University Krems, and a professor at the EU International Relations…
Attack on PTM leaders: Justice for Pashtun activists
The Pashtun community is protesting against repressive tactics that are prevalent in the Pashtun belt of Pakistan. On February 2, 2022, soldiers of the Pakistan Army reportedly fired bullets at…
From Bangkok Treaty to TPNW: Understanding Southeast Asia Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts Fundamental and Challenges
Introduction Increasing nuclear expenditure among nuclear weapons states against the pandemic background is warning us about the unavoidable cost attached along with the unstable strategic environment. These costs are sometimes…
Immigration in Asia
Summary The phenomenon of migration by relying on the human factor has many effects, especially on the immigrant country, to the extent that the increase in the population of immigrants…
Media and women under the Taliban shadow: Institutionalising Oppression
A few days ago, the Taliban Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi gave a statement in support of women empowerment. He claimed that girls had been going to schools till…
Afghanistan’s Future Generations at Stake
This short essay is by our Peace Ambassador Rita Anwari. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. Dr.Rita Anwari is thankful to Kat Battino for her…
The UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights and the situation in Asia
Since their unanimous endorsement by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) have become the global standard for preventing and…
Coping with the coup: Myanmar
Background Although Myanmar’s GDP growth rate already began declining back in 2018, the covid-19 pandemic proved a critical blow to the country’s economy. The disruption of national and international supply…
Afghanistan, Then & Now: Reflections of an Education Activist
This short photo-essay by our Peace Ambassador Rita Anwari reminisces her visit to Afghanistan in 2017. The post 9/11 phase leading up to August 2021 was market by certain complexities…
Sinking Islands: Maldives facing Climate Change
A Global Problem Through a Local Dimension “…there must be a way out. Neither the Maldives nor any small island nation wants to drown. That is for sure. Neither do…
Ali Wazir: The Symbol of Pashtun Struggle
Prominent Pashtun Legislators Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar, who were elected to the Pakistani parliament through their relentless activism on human rights violations, continue to remain outspoken out against the…
EU-ISRAEL TIES: Insights from the European Parliament with Lukas Mandl
To watch the webinar click here. Peace for Asia held a Webinar with Lukas Mandl, a member of the European Parliament (European People’s Party). Mr Mandl commented on the work…
Tunisian Women’s Rights
Tunisia has the reputation of being an exception in the region where women’s rights are concerned and has always stood out from other countries and contexts of the Middle East…
The Steady Subversion of Minority Rights: Right-Wing Populism, Violence and Muslims in India
The politically right-wing associations in India have been pursuing an aggressively hard-line Hindu political agenda aimed at subverting the secular character of Indian society as enshrined in the constitution. The…
Iran’s Geopolitical Influence in Middle East
Executive Summary: The geopolitical influence of Iran continues to pose a threat to the international community and jeopardize the stability of the Middle East. The theological regime in Tehran consolidates…
Assassination of Rohingya Leader
The high-profile Rohingya activist and leader, Mohibullah (Featured picture), was assassinated days ago by unknown assailants in one of the refugee camps located in Cox Bazaar (Pic 2), Bangladesh. Five…
Taliban Resurrection & its Implications for Hazara Community
On the 30th of August, the Taliban killed 14 men of the Hazara community in Khadir district of Afghanistan’s Daikundi province (Pic 1). Only a month back Taliban tortured and…
Over 60 former UK government officials call for urgent improvements to the Afghan resettlement and refugee schemes
Sarah Hearn OBE New York University I am part of a group of over 60 former UK diplomatic and development officials who served the British Government in Afghanistan since 2002.…
The Hazaras: Centuries-long Oppression
Afghanistan has a heterogeneous population of 40 million that includes ethnic groups such as Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Turkmens, and others. Among these groups, Pashtuns are the largest one and…
The refugees of Kunduz
Note: Our consulting editor Jessica Kroner brings exclusive images of Afghan refugees who crossed Pakistan through the Chaman border. Unfortunately, they were turned back by the Pakistani authorities citing lack…
Human Trafficking around the world: A crushing violation of fundamental human rights
Human trafficking is is believed to be the third most lucrative form of crime after drugs and arms trafficking. It is a crime against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…
Illicit Drug Trafficking in the Golden Triangle
Located in the arboreous highlands, the Golden Triangle is the meeting point of the borders of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand at the junction of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. The…
Gender-Based Violence in India: A Human Rights Approach
The disproportionate level of violence faced by women and sexual minorities is not a recent phenomenon. Its pervasive nature escapes even the most sophisticated systems of legislation and policy action…
The Impact of Climate Change on Human Rights in Nepal
The international community has marked August 19th as World Humanitarian Day (WHD) since its designation by the UN General Assembly in 2008. This historic decision was taken five years after…
Human Rights violations in the Philippines: Will the ICC be able to stop Duterte?
In June 2021, the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into the alleged human rights abuses and targeted assassinations in the country between 2016 and 2019, that is, during the…
The closure of Apple Daily remarks another setback in the freedom of expression and press in Hong Kong
On 17 June 2021, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region police arrested five executives of Next Media company, which published the newspaper Apple Daily. The five people arrested, Chief Editor…
Breaking socio-economic barriers for women’s empowerment
Nowadays, gender equity is understood to be a crucial issue for societies and cultures worldwide which are mostly prescribed as “underdeveloped societies”. In these discriminatory contexts , due to the…
World Refugee Day 2021
Peace for Asia observes World Refugee Day 2021. We stand in solidarity with all refugees and displaced people fighting for their rights and dignity.
Webinar: The Future of Asian Geopolitics, Trends for the Coming Decade
Peace for Asia Speaks to Rodger Baker on the Future of Asian Geopolitics Peace for Asia’s Global Peace Ambassador Rita Anwari Sultani is in conversation with Rodger Baker of Stratfor…
Climate Adaptation and Vulnerable Communities in Asia during the Covid-19 Pandemic
A few days ago, Cyclone Yaas caused flash floods that inundated about 148 villages in the north of Odisha, India. This disaster did not only damage the ecosystem of local…
Taiwan’s Foreign Policy Is Gaining Strength by the Strength
There are many works in the strategic literature that point to the difficulties of mainland China conquering, and invariably, unifying Taiwan by force. One can be with two for now.…
Goodbye Skaramagas – volunteer Giusi Santelli leaves one of Greece’s biggest refugee camps, fearing for the future of its 3000 inhabitants, as the camp faces closure.
15th April 2021 In late February, I began a volunteering stint at Skaramagas, a refugee camp on the Mediterranean coast just outside Athens. As I returned home this week, I…
The Today and Tomorrow of Peace Mediation
There is a lot of jargon in peace mediation, many buzz words people use with vague meanings. If you want to write about peace mediation you can include “community-building, capacity-building,…
Water Scarcity in South Asia: the cause for conflict or cooperation
Water is a basic human right because it is essential for human survival. Therefore, the provision and maintenance of accessible clean drinking water are central to a healthy and stable…
Impunity at the gates of Europe: How to end pushbacks and human rights violations?
The European Union is committed to supporting democracy and human rights in its external relations, in accordance with its founding principles of liberty, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.…
The Impact of Child Marriage in Asia
In all countries around the world, the time of marriage is celebrated as an unforgettable moment that sees two people crowning their love forever. Unfortunately for many girls, this moment…
A ray of hope for LGBT+ under Malaysia’s homophobic legislation
Same-sex relationships in Malaysia are not only illegal, their existence is also completely denied: In March 2019, the tourism minister of Malaysia said that there were no gay people in…
Climate Displacement – The Legal Gap To Protect Climate Refugees’ Rights
The consequences of environmental degradation – such as deforestation, soil erosion, water shortages and natural disasters – threaten the livelihoods of millions of people across the world forcing them to…
Top Human Rights News of the Week: New Delhi High Court Designates Human Rights Courts
New Delhi High Court has designated human rights courts in each district in the National Capital Region. This comes as a welcome surprise to many law practitioners who regularly advocate…
European Union contemplates the first ever Human Rights blacklist
Countries in the European Union have started o debate about the first-ever Human Rights blacklist which is sought to impose sanctions upon those countries and individuals which have abysmal human…