epubdos : Afghanistan
SCA MORNING PRESS CLIPS
Prepared for the U.S. Department of State
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
TO:
SCA & Staff
DATE:
Thursday, June 27, 2024 6:30 AM ET

Afghanistan
Women’s rights will be raised at the UN meeting being attended by Taliban, UN official says (AP)
AP [6/27/2024 12:17 AM, Edith M. Lederer, 31180K, Neutral]
The U.N. political chief who will chair the first meeting between Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers and envoys from about 25 countries answered sharp criticism that Afghan women have been excluded, saying Wednesday that women’s rights will be raised at every session.

Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo stressed to a small group of reporters that the two-day meeting starting Sunday is an initial engagement aimed at initiating a step-by-step process with the goal of seeing the Taliban “at peace with itself and its neighbors and adhering to international law,” the U.N. Charter, and human rights.

This is the third U.N. meeting with Afghan envoys in Qatar’s capital, Doha, but the first that the Taliban are attending. They weren’t invited to the first and refused to attend the second.

Other attendees include envoys from the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United States, Russia, China and several of Afghanistan’s neighbors, DiCarlo said.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 as United States and NATO forces withdrew following two decades of war. No country officially recognizes them as Afghanistan’s government, and the U.N. has said that recognition is almost impossible while bans on female education and employment remain in place and women can’t go out without a male guardian.

When DiCarlo met with senior Taliban officials in Kabul in May, she said she made clear that the international community is concerned about four things: the lack of an inclusive government, the denial of human rights especially for women and girls, and the need to combat terrorism and the narcotics trade.

“The issue of inclusive governance, women’s rights, human rights writ large, will be a part of every single session,” she said. “This is important, and we will hear it again and again, I’m sure from quite a number of us.”

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International criticized the United Nations for not having Afghan women and civil society representatives at the table with the Taliban.

DiCarlo described the meeting as a process. “This is not an inter-Afghan dialogue,” she stressed. “I would hope we could get to that someday, but we’re not there.”

The Taliban’s foreign ministry on Tuesday reiterated the concerns they want to raise — restrictions on Afghanistan’s financial and banking system, development of the private sector, and countering drug trafficking. DiCarlo said they also raised Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change.

She said discussions on the first day of the Doha meeting on Sunday will focus on how the world would engage with the Taliban to achieve the objectives of peace and its adherence to international law and human rights. The assessment calls for a step-by-step process, where each side would respond to actions taken by the other.

On the second day, the participants will discuss the private sector, including getting more women into the workforce through microfinance projects, as well as counter-narcotics efforts, such as alternative livelihoods and support for drug addicts, she said.

“Hopefully, it will achieve some progress, but it will be slow,” DiCarlo said.

She stressed that the meeting isn’t about the Taliban and doesn’t signify any recognition of Afghan’s rulers as the country’s official government. “That’s not in the cards,” she said.

“This is about Afghanistan and the people and their need to feel a part of the international community and have the kinds of support and services and opportunities that others have — and they’re pretty blocked off right now,” DiCarlo said.

Before the meeting, the U.N. political chief met with the Afghan diaspora. After the meeting on Tuesday, she said the U.N. and the envoys will meet with civil society representatives including women, and private sector representatives mainly living in Afghanistan.
UN-led Doha meeting with Taliban not about recognition, says UN (Reuters)
Reuters [6/26/2024 6:13 PM, Michelle Nichols, 42991K, Positive]
A United Nations-led meeting with Afghanistan’s Taliban in Qatar this weekend will not be a discussion about international recognition of the group, U.N. political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said on Wednesday.

The meeting, which will also be attended by envoys from some 25 countries, will be the third such meeting in Doha, but the first attended by the Taliban, which has not been internationally recognized since seizing power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces withdrew after 20 years of war.

"This is not a meeting about recognition. This is not a meeting to lead to recognition ... Having engagement doesn’t mean recognition," DiCarlo told reporters. "This isn’t about the Taliban. This is about Afghanistan and the people."

The U.N.-led meeting aims to engage with the Taliban, who have cracked down on women’s rights since returning to power, on a way to improve the lives of millions of Afghans. The meeting this weekend is due to focus on engagement going forward, along with sessions on private sector business and counter-narcotics.

Rights groups criticized the U.N. for not having Afghan women at the table with the Taliban in Doha. U.N. officials and the country envoys attending the Taliban meeting are also due to meet separately with Afghan civil society groups.

"I want to emphasize - this is a process. We are getting a lot of criticism: Why aren’t women at the table? Why aren’t Afghan women at the table? Why is civil society not at the table? This is not an inter Afghan dialogue," DiCarlo said. "I would hope we could get to that someday, but we’re not there."

Since the Taliban returned to power, most girls have been barred from high school and women from universities. The Taliban have also stopped most Afghan female staff from working at aid agencies, closed beauty salons, barred women from parks and curtailed travel for women in the absence of a male guardian.

The Taliban say they respect rights in line with their interpretation of Islamic law.
UN drug agency warns of opium shortage amid Taliban ban (Deutsche Welle)
Deutsche Welle [6/26/2024 6:56 AM, Staff, 15592K, Neutral]
The Taliban ban on opium production in Afghanistan, the world’s biggest supplier of the drug, could drive up the use of synthetic opioids in its stead, consequently increasing overdose deaths, the UN drug agency warned on Wednesday.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in its annual drug report that opium production fell globally by around 74% last year. The Taliban banned opium production in 2022.

While the agency said there were still "no real shortages" of the drug in the main destination markets as of yet, it warned that this would become an inevitability should its curtailed production continue.

The opium poppy is the key source of many narcotics, including heroin.

The UNODC is particularly worried that heroin users will instead resort to the use of nitazenes, a type of highly potent, synthetic opioid that leads to overdose deaths. Users could even buy what they think is heroin only for it to have been cut with far cheaper and more potent nitazenes.

Why is it dangerous for nitazenes to replace opium?

Both the UNODC and other drug organizations have warned of the emergence of nitazenes.

"Nitazenes — a group of synthetic opioids which can be even more potent than fentanyl — have recently emerged in several high-income countries, resulting in an increase in overdose deaths," UNODC said.

Overdose deaths from nitazenes have been reported in Ireland, Britain, Estonia and Latvia, UNODC research chief Angela Me told reporters.

"The purity of heroin on the market is expected to decline," UNODC noted, warning that "heroin users may switch to other opioids" with those posing "significant risks to health."

Overall, some 292 million people used an illicit drug in 2022, some 20% more than a decade earlier. Of those, 60 million used opioids.

The report also noted a spike in the supply of cocaine, reaching a record high of over 2,700 tons in 2022, up 20% from the previous year.
Pakistan
Pakistan defence minister criticises US House call for probe into election (Reuters)
Reuters [6/26/2024 2:51 PM, Gibran Peshimam, 42991K, Neutral]
Pakistan’s defence minister on Wednesday criticised a U.S. House of Representatives resolution calling for a probe of alleged voting irregularities in the South Asian nation’s February general election.

The vote, in which no single party won a clear majority, was marred by violence, communication blackouts and allegations by the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan that the polls were rigged. The country’s election commission denies this.

"They have no right to interfere in our internal affairs or give any sort of verdict on the matter," Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told local broadcaster Geo News.

He said the resolution, passed on Tuesday, had "no value" and was political posturing in an election year in the United States. In addition to calling for an independent investigation, the U.S. House resolution condemned any effort to subvert the electoral process.

Pakistan’s foreign office released a more carefully worded statement, saying that the resolution "stems from an incomplete understanding of the political situation and electoral process in Pakistan."

Washington’s support will be crucial for Islamabad in coming weeks as it looks to secure a fresh bailout from the International Monetary Fund to stave off an economic crisis.

The resolution will not have much impact on Washington’s policy towards Pakistan, Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, said in a post on social media platform X.

But, he added, it raised questions about whether Pakistan legislation could follow, noting bipartisan support for the resolution.

The resolution was welcomed by Khan’s party, which was banned from contesting the elections.

"The hope is that other nations and leaders will follow the U.S. House’s example," senior Khan aide Zulfikar Bukhari said in a text message.

Independent candidates backed by Khan won the most seats but did not have the numbers to form a government. Instead an alliance of his rivals formed a government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The polls remain contentious and are facing a number of legal challenges.
Pakistan hits back at US Congress’ call for election probe (VOA)
VOA [6/26/2024 4:18 PM, Ayaz Gul, 4032K, Neutral]
Pakistan strongly objected Wednesday to a U.S. congressional resolution calling for an investigation into interference and fraud allegations related to Pakistan’s February 8 parliamentary elections.

“We believe that the timing and context of this particular resolution does not align well with the positive dynamics of our bilateral ties,” said the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad.

The statement said the resolution “stems from an incomplete understanding of the political situation and electoral process” in Pakistan.

The rebuke came a day after the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted (368-7) to approve a resolution urging “the full and independent investigation of claims of interference or irregularities” in Pakistan’s election.

The U.S. lawmakers also condemned what they described as “attempts to suppress” participation of Pakistanis in their democracy “through harassment, intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, restrictions on access to the internet and telecommunications.”

In its response, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry stated that Islamabad was committed to “the values of constitutionalism, human rights, and the rule of law in pursuance of our own national interest.” It urged the U.S. Congress to play its role in strengthening bilateral relations and mutual collaboration benefiting both countries.

“We believe in constructive dialogue and engagement based on mutual respect and understanding. Such resolutions are, therefore, neither constructive nor objective.”

Khawaja Asif, the Pakistani defense minister, also went on social media platform X to criticize the U.S. lawmakers’ call for an impartial election probe.

“This is from the country that spent the 20th century overthrowing democratically elected governments, and currently facilitating the Palestinian genocide,” Asif wrote. “Let’s look at their history of irregularities in 2016 & 2020 elections, both Democrats and Republicans accused of foreign intervention and rigging, how about asking U.N. for probe.”

U.S. State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller declined to comment specifically on the resolution while addressing a regular news conference in Washington.

“Our most senior officials, including Secretary [of State] Antony Blinken and Ambassador Donald Blome [in Islamabad], have consistently, both privately and publicly, urged Pakistan to respect the rights of its people and live with its constitutional and international obligations,” Miller said.

“We continuously urge the government of Pakistan to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, religion, as well as the rights of marginalized populations such as women and religious minorities,” he said.

Analysts, such as Washington-based Michael Kugelman, said the resolution would not have much impact on U.S. policy toward Pakistan, noting that the Biden administration already has called for an investigation into charges of election irregularities.

“But the vote does raise questions about what additional legislation we could see re Pakistan,” Kugelman, the South Asia Institute director at the Wilson Center, wrote on X. “What really stands out for me is the margin of the vote, and the number of Members that voted. 85% of House members voted on it, and 98% voted in favor of the resolution. This is quite significant.”

Pakistani authorities have vehemently defended the February 8 vote and its outcome. Opposition parties and independent domestic and foreign observers, however, have complained of nationwide mobile phone and internet shutdowns on the polling day, unusually delayed results, and a state crackdown against jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party in the run-up to the election.

Khan, who has been in jail since last August on controversial graft charges, was convicted in several other cases just days before election day in an apparent bid to keep him from contesting or campaigning.

His Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, party was blocked from using its iconic cricket bat symbol on ballot papers in a country where symbols are important to help illiterate voters, in particular, identify which party to vote for.

Despite the crackdown, legal setbacks and alleged military-plotted vote rigging by election authorities, independent candidates backed by Khan’s PTI won the most seats in the 342-seat National Assembly but were short of a simple majority.

That enabled rival Pakistan Muslim League-N, or PML-N, and the Pakistan Peoples Party, or PPP, to form a coalition government with the backing of the military. The PML-N leader, Shehbaz Sharif, became the prime minister.

Khan has since been forcefully raising the electoral fraud issue in statements from his prison cell. PTI leaders at news conferences have persistently stated their party was on the way to sweeping the elections but its mandate was stolen.

“Washington already had been uneasy for months, frustrated, since brazen electoral fraud in Pakistan, and it looked like the regime in Pakistan mistook their silence as approval,” the PTI stated in its response to Tuesday’s U.S. congressional resolution.

The victory of PTI-linked candidates surprised observers and was seen as a landmark upset in Pakistan, where political success has long been tied to the military’s backing.

Khan, a cricket star turned prime minister, was removed from power in a vote of no confidence in April 2022. The 71-year-old politician dismissed the move as illegal and plotted by the military.

Pakistan’s military has ousted democratically elected governments through several coups and has ruled the country for more than three decades since it gained independence in 1947.
Pakistan eyes new counterterror operations as security deteriorates (Nikkei Asia)
Nikkei Asia [6/26/2024 9:55 PM, Adnan Aamir, 2042K, Negative]
Pakistan is planning to launch fresh counterterror operations as Beijing grows increasingly wary about investing in the country after deadly attacks on Chinese nationals and key economic projects.

But the plan, dubbed Operation Azm-i-Istehkam (Operation Resolve for Stability), is facing strong pushback from the political opposition, and there are few assurances that it will be enough to placate Pakistan’s key investor.

The new counterterror blueprint was announced on Saturday, just a day after a top Chinese official warned that security is crucial to Beijing pouring more money into the South Asian nation.

"As people often say, confidence is more precious than gold," said Liu Jianchao, head of the Chinese Communist Party’s International Department. "In the case of Pakistan, the primary factor shaking the confidence of Chinese investors is the security situation."

Liu was addressing a meeting of the Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM), a high-level diplomatic initiative that focuses on topics including security and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $50 billion cornerstone of Beijing’s globe-spanning Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a participant at the meeting told Nikkei Asia that Chinese officials in attendance were visibly upset with Pakistan’s security situation.

Chinese nationals working in Pakistan have been targeted in a series of deadly attacks, as the country grapples with a rise in militant activity ranging from Islamists aiming to topple the government to separatists seeking to carve out a homeland in the southwestern province of Balochistan -- a center for Chinese investment.

Pakistani officials have so far offered few details about their latest bid to crush terrorism and religious fanaticism. It comes less than a month after the government pledged to boost security around two cities that are key hubs for Chinese workers.

"CPEC-related investments in Pakistan are testing Chinese resilience, given the loss of dozens of its citizens targeted by terrorists in different parts of Pakistan," said Khuram Iqbal, an Islamabad-based counterterrorism expert.

In March, five Chinese engineers were killed by a suicide bomber near the Dasu hydropower project. Nine Chinese engineers were killed in a similar 2021 attack in the same area.

China is one of Pakistan’s closest allies and most important sources of investment for an economy in crisis. But it also facing terror threats on a level that few countries experience, said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Center.

"Pakistan has not only a strong political incentive but also a compelling strategic rationale to launch this operation," he added.

The country has seen multiple anti-terror operations in the past two decades, including Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014 against the Pakistani Taliban which involved some 25,000 troops and saw about 4,000 killed, mostly militants. In 2017, Operation Radd-ul Fasaad targeted supporters of militants across the country.

A well-placed security official told Nikkei that the newest operation would focus on targeted strikes against militants and "religious fanatics" nationwide.

"Pakistan has carried out major operations before and wiped out [militants] in the past," the official said. "Now is the time to eradicate and uproot this [menace], once and for all."

Experts said strikes under the new plan may involve fewer personnel than past operations which displaced local residents due to their size.

"Given the decentralized and extraterritorial nature of the current threat, we are likely to see a greater emphasis on intelligence-based operations, a more proactive role for law enforcement agencies and more hit squads targeting [the Pakistani Taliban] in Afghanistan," said Iqbal, the counterterrorism expert.

The country’s political opposition, however, warned it was a "recipe for disaster," branding previous operations unsuccessful.

"Popular support is crucial for any [counterterrorism] operation to be successful," Iqbal said. "[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif] suffers from a legitimacy crisis in [areas] most affected by terrorism. This could undermine the effectiveness of this entire campaign."

But the pushback was likely to fade away, said Syed Muhammad Ali, an Islamabad-based national security expert.

"It’s a matter of time before the political opposition will decline once their concerns are addressed and broader political consensus evolves," he said.

Whether it will be enough to guarantee more Chinese investment is another matter. This month, Pakistan’s leader Sharif went to China hoping to land more big-ticket energy and infrastructure deals, but he came back nearly empty-handed.

"For Beijing, the proof will be in the pudding," Kugelman said. "I anticipate [China] will move cautiously and wait to see what Pakistan actually does in the implementation stage -- and what results come from it, especially if terrorist attacks start to decline -- before it makes decisions about financing and investment."
More than 500 die in six days as Pakistan swelters (BBC)
BBC [6/26/2024 8:46 PM, Caroline Davies, 65502K, Negative]
As the temperatures rose in southern Pakistan, so did the body count.

The Edhi ambulance service says it usually takes around 30 to 40 people to the Karachi city morgue daily.

But over the last six days, it has collected some 568 bodies - 141 of them on Tuesday alone.

It is too early to say exactly what the cause of death was in every case.

However, the rising numbers of dead came as temperatures in Karachi soared above 40C (104F), with the high humidity making it feel as hot as 49C, reports said.

People have been heading to hospitals seeking help.

Civil Hospital Karachi admitted 267 people with heatstroke between Sunday and Wednesday, said Dr Imran Sarwar Sheikh, head of the emergency department. Twelve of them died.

“Most of the people who we saw coming into the hospital were in their 60s or 70s, although there were some around 45 and even a couple in their 20s,” Dr Sheikh told the BBC.

Symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and a high fever.

“Many of those we saw had been working outside. We’ve told them to make sure they drink plenty of water and wear light clothes in these high temperatures.”

The high temperatures - described as a “partial heatwave” by one meteorologist – began at the weekend.

Heatwave centres and camps were set up to try to provide relief to the public.

Pictures show children playing in fountains as they tried to cool off.

“Look at me! My clothes are totally drenched in sweat,” Mohammad Imran told Reuters news agency as he struggled to keep cool on Monday.

Not all those who needed help made it to hospital.

Wasim Ahmed knew he wasn’t feeling well when he arrived home.

The 56-year-old security guard had just finished a 12 hour overnight shift outside. Even then, he had found the temperatures too much.

“He came through the door and said I can’t deal with this hot weather,” Adnan Zafar, Wasim’s cousin, told the BBC. “He asked for a glass of water. Soon after he finished it, he collapsed.”

By the time Wasim’s family got him to hospital, the medics said he had already died of a suspected heart attack.

He had an existing heart condition, Adnan says, but he hadn’t suffered in the heat before.

Karachi’s struggle to cope with the high temperatures is, some fear, being made worse by regular power cuts which cut off the fans and air conditioning many rely on to keep cool.

Muhammad Amin was among those who was suffering with loadshedding - where the electricity supply was cut off; a common practice across Pakistan by the electricity board to try to preserve supply.

His relative says their flat experienced consistent constant power cuts.

According to his family, Muhammad who was in his 40s suddenly became sick, then died.

Cause of death has not been established, but his family suspect it was heat-related.

According to Dawn newspaper, almost 30 people have been found dead by emergency services on the city’s streets.

Many are suspected drug addicts, Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed told the newspaper. They did not, however, have any signs of injury.

Karachi is not the only part of Pakistan that is struggling to cope.

Last month, the province of Sindh - of which Karachi is the capital - recorded an almost record-breaking temperature of 52.2C, according to Reuters.

Pakistan’s neighbours have been suffering from extreme, deadly temperatures in recent weeks as well.

Across the border in India, the capital Delhi has been enduring an “unprecedented” heatwave, with daily temperatures crossing 40C (104F) since May, peaking at nearly 50C.

Doctors in the city say they’ve never seen anything like it before.

For Karachi resident Mohammad Zeshan, it is clear what the problem is.

“This is due to climate change,” he told Reuters. “This is happening all around the world. This is happening in Europe. They have faced intense heat but they have taken steps about it.

“But here, it is sad that government has not taken any effective measures.”

Experts agree these sorts of extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change.

The heatwave roasting Karachi is expected to last into next week, albeit with slightly lower temperatures forecast.

Weather experts are now turning their attention to the monsoon season, which is expected to arrive early and bring as much as 60% more rain, according to experts who spoke to Dawn.
India
US Presses India Often About Alleged Murder Plot, Official Says (Bloomberg)
Bloomberg [6/26/2024 10:21 AM, Iain Marlow, 27296K, Negative]
The US has repeatedly asked India about an investigation ordered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after US prosecutors alleged that his government was involved in an overseas assassination plot that targeted an American, a top State Department official said.

Indian officials are also looking at whether the government needs to make institutional reforms following the allegations, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told reporters Wednesday.

“We’ve made clear that we seek accountability from the government of India and we have consistently asked for updates on the Indian committee of inquiry’s investigations,” said Campbell, who visited India last week. “We also believe that Indian colleagues are looking carefully at what potential institutional reforms might be necessary in the wake of some of these allegations.”

Last year, US prosecutors accused an Indian government agent of directing a plot to assassinate Sikh separatists living abroad, including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh activist in New York who’s been labeled a terrorist by New Delhi. Prosecutors alleged that was part of a broader Indian effort to target critics abroad, including the murder of a Canadian Sikh activist earlier that year.

India’s government has denied it targeted Sikh separatists but announced an investigation into the American case.

In March, senior Indian officials told Bloomberg News that India’s investigation found that rogue operatives not authorized by the government were involved in the plot. New Delhi has already informed US authorities about the findings from the government-appointed panel set up to probe the allegations, and the US demanded criminal prosecution of the individuals involved, senior officials familiar with the matter said.

Earlier this month, police in the Czech Republic extradited an Indian suspect wanted by the US for involvement in the alleged plot to kill Pannum. The suspect, Nikhil Gupta, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to kill Pannun, according to media reports.
US religious freedom report notes violence against Indian minorities (Reuters)
Reuters [6/26/2024 7:25 PM, Kanishka Singh and Simon Lewis, 42991K, Negative]
The U.S. State Department’s 2023 religious freedom report on India noted violent attacks on minority groups, especially Muslims and Christians, including killings, assaults and vandalism of houses of worship.

The report on international religious freedom released on Wednesday said that in 2023, senior U.S. officials continued to "raise concerns about religious freedom issues" with their Indian counterparts.

Human rights experts say India has seen a rise in attacks on minorities under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently won a third term, and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said when the report was released, in a rare direct rebuke of India.

Criticism of India by the U.S. is usually restrained due to close economic ties and New Delhi’s importance for Washington to counter China, political analysts say.

The U.S. report listed dozens of incidents. Among them was a fatal shooting of a security official and three Muslims on a train near Mumbai by a suspect who was a railway security official. A probe by Indian authorities into that case is ongoing and the suspect was in jail, according to the Indian Express newspaper.

The report cited examples of attacks against Muslims based on allegations that Muslim men were participating in the slaughter of cows or beef trading.

The Indian embassy in Washington had no immediate comment. The Indian government denies discriminating against minorities, and says its welfare policies - like food subsidy schemes and electrification drives - aim to benefit all Indians.

Rights advocates contest that and point to anti-Muslim hate speeches the revoking, opens new tab of Muslim-majority Kashmir’s special status, a citizenship law that the U.N. calls "fundamentally discriminatory" and the demolition of Muslim properties in the name of removing illegal construction.

The State Department report also cited violence in the northeastern state of Manipur that started in May last year between minority, mostly Christian, Kuki and majority, mostly Hindu, Meitei ethnic groups.

Hindu and Christian places of worship were destroyed in Manipur. Citing a local tribal leaders’ forum, the report said over 250 churches were burnt down, more than 200 people were killed and over 60,000 were displaced.

Hindus make up about 80% of India’s 1.4 billion population. Muslims include 14% and Christians over 2%.

The report mentioned anti-conversion legislation in some Indian states that rights advocates say challenges the right to freedom of belief.
US issues rare criticism of India in religious freedom report (Agence France-Presse)
Agence France-Presse [6/26/2024 12:27 PM, Staff, 85570K, Negative]
The United States offered rare criticism of close partner India in a report published Wednesday on religious freedom, while also voicing alarm over rising bigotry worldwide against both Jews and Muslims.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled the annual report and said that the United States was also facing its own sharp increase of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in connection to the Gaza war.

"In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities," Blinken said.

The US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain, faulted efforts by Indian police.

In India, "Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges," he said.

The United States for decades has sought warmer ties with India, seeing the fellow democracy as a bulwark against China, with President Joe Biden embracing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist who recently secured a third term.

Despite the public criticism in the report, few expect the State Department to take action on India when it drafts its annual blacklist of countries over religious freedom later this year.

The State Department also raised concerns about countries that are on the list, including India’s historic rival Pakistan, where Blinken condemned blasphemy laws that "help foster a climate of intolerance and hatred that can lead to vigilantism and mob violence."

Blinken noted that in the United States, hate crimes against both Muslims and Jews "have gone up dramatically."

He also singled out EU member Hungary, led by nationalist Viktor Orban, saying that "officials continue to use anti-Semitic tropes and anti-Muslim rhetoric and they penalize members of religious groups who criticise the government."

He said that nine other European nations "effectively ban some forms of religious clothing in public spaces."

He did not name the countries, although France has been at the forefront on restricting full-face veils worn by some Muslim women.
Indian interference claims by Canada politically motivated, says envoy (Reuters)
Reuters [6/26/2024 10:12 AM, Promit Mukherjee, 42991K, Neutral]
India has said a report by Canadian legislators alleging interference by New Delhi is politically motivated and influenced by Sikh separatist campaigners.

Already chilly bilateral ties cooled further last month when a group of parliamentarians, citing intelligence reports, alleged some elected Canadian officials had been "witting or semi-witting" participants in foreign interference operations.

India and China were the main foreign threats to Canada’s democratic institutions, it said.

Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s envoy to Canada, said the report was biased, did not give a fair hearing to India and did not give an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.

"It has been influenced by anti-India elements ... you need to come out with infallible evidence. I don’t see any hint of that," he told Reuters.

"This is all politically motivated ... if Canadian institutions are bent upon harm(ing) bilateral relations with India, that will happen."

His remarks were the first formal response by India to the report, which triggered demands by opposition legislators for the government to name those under suspicion.

New Delhi accuses Canada of harboring Sikh separatists who seek to create a homeland in India known as Khalistan.

Last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited credible allegations of Indian government involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in the Canadian province of British Columbia in June 2023.

"There is a lot of political space given to Khalistani terrorists in Canada and therefore I would expect them to have influenced the entire process through their representatives," Verma said.

The special committee of legislators, asked about Verma’s criticism, said the "committee speaks to and through its reports" and noted it had spoken to the country’s two intelligence agencies, the police service, the public safety ministry and studied 4,000 documents.

The offices of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly referred queries to the public safety ministry, which said it would allow the committee to speak to the report.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada, an Ottawa-based Sikh advocacy group, called Verma’s remarks "baseless and unprofessional" and said the committee had operated with complete independence.

Canada is pressing India to cooperate with the investigation into the murder of Nijjar.

Verma said Canada had yet not shared any evidence with India, following media reports that Canadian intelligence agency officials visited India twice this year.

Last month, the Canadian police arrested and charged four Indian men on suspicion of Nijjar’s murder.

The killing prompted Canada to pause talks on a proposed trade treaty. The two nations had been talking off and on since 2010 about a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.

"If Canada decides to (ask) us to resume talks ... we will take a call," Verma said.

Even as diplomatic relations deteriorate, bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed $25 billion last year, Verma said, adding it would grow this year.
India’s president inaugurates newly elected parliament and sets out economic reforms as a key agenda (AP)
AP [6/27/2024 3:46 AM, Ashok Sharma, 456K, Neutral]
India’s president inaugurated a new parliament on Thursday after national elections, listing the priorities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in coming years, including fast-tracking economic reforms and boosting small and medium-size enterprises to create jobs.

President Draupadi Murmu said India’s economy grew the fastest among the world’s major nations at an average of 8% over the past four years.

The International Monetary Fund has put India’s growth forecast at 6.8% for 2024-25.

Modi’s government was elected to a record third term despite failing to win a majority on its own. Modi is dependent on his Hindu nationalist party’s coalition partners to govern the country for another five years.

The government will present its 2024-25 budget next month, setting out its vision of making India a developed country by 2047, Murmu said in a speech to the lawmakers.

In India, the presidency is largely a ceremonial position and the prime minister governs the country.

The new parliament includes some unexpected winners, including Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of one of the assassins of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. They were elected from northern Punjab state.

Punjab suffered a bloody insurgency in the 1980s that led to Gandhi’s killing by her Sikh bodyguards at her official residence in New Delhi. Her assassination triggered bloody rioting by her Hindu supporters against Sikhs in northern India.

Another new lawmaker is Sheikh Abdul Rashid from Indian-controlled Kashmir. He was arrested in 2019 on terror-funding charges and is currently in jail.

Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party has petitioned a Delhi court to allow him to participate the oath-taking ceremony in Parliament. Separatist groups have been fighting for the independence of Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan.

In January, the government unveiled a short-term budget ahead of the elections that boosted spending on infrastructure projects and homes for poor villagers and cut the fiscal deficit by reducing subsidies.

The Modi government announced plans to provide skills for young people and boost small and medium enterprises to create jobs. It faced criticism from the opposition during the election campaign for not creating enough jobs despite offering billions of dollars in subsidies to boost manufacturing.

The government plans to build 20 million affordable houses over the next five years, adding to the 30 million already built. The government allocated $145 billion for infrastructure projects.

The government’s budget last year totaled $550 billion and focused on ramping up capital spending to spur economic growth.

India attracted $596 billion in foreign direct investment over the past nine years.

Last year, India surpassed the United Kingdom to become the world’s fifth-largest economy with a GDP of $3.7 trillion. The government expects the economy to become the third largest in the next three years with a GDP of $5 trillion.
India concerned about violence in Myanmar, urges early democratic transition (Reuters)
Reuters [6/26/2024 8:38 AM, Shivam Patel, 85570K, Negative]
India’s foreign minister said he voiced concern about the impact of continuing violence in Myanmar in a meeting on Wednesday with his counterpart from the Southeast Asian nation.

Myanmar plunged into turmoil after a 2021 military coup seized power from an elected government, sparking a protest movement that has evolved into a full-blown civil war, in which the military has lost control of large swathes of territory.

India has maintained its relationship with the ruling junta, even as armed resistance to the military has expanded, and it has an infrastructure project in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state where heavy fighting has raged in recent months.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he sought a commitment to protecting India’s ongoing projects in Myanmar in the meeting with counterpart Than Swe.

"Discussed our deep concern at the impact of continuing violence and instability in Myanmar on our border. India is open to engaging all stakeholders in addressing this situation," Jaishankar wrote on X.

He also said he called for an early return to the path of democratic transition in Myanmar, days after the Indian ambassador to Myanmar met the chief of the junta administration’s election commission this week.

A junta spokesman did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking comment.

Jaishankar said he "pressed for credible security protection for our ongoing projects in the country. Urged early return to the path of democratic transition in Myanmar. India stands ready to help in any manner".
French journalist describes India’s permit denial as a ‘slap in the face’ (VOA)
VOA [6/26/2024 2:05 PM, Staff, 4032K, Negative]
A French journalist forced to leave India after authorities declined to renew his journalism permit has described the action as “a slap in the face.”

Sébastien Farcis, a correspondent for European outlets including Radio France Internationale, is the third foreign journalist this year who says they had to leave the country over visa or work permit issues.

Media watchdogs and analysts have questioned whether the denied visa renewals are part of a broader effort by India’s government to silence critical foreign journalists.

Without a valid permit, Farcis told VOA, he was unable to work and so had no option but to leave India while filing a fresh application. The reporter said he has not received an explanation about why the permit was not renewed.

Farcis, who has worked in India for 13 years, said he was informed of the decision the day before India’s elections, and that the action prevented him from covering the vote.

Speaking to VOA via email, Farcis told VOA he was shocked.

“It felt like a slap in the face, as I have invested 13 years of my life in this country, and felt so close to it as I married an Indian woman,” he said. “There was no warning nor explanation about it, just a line over email saying the permit was DENIED, in capital. It was violent and felt like a censorship.”

Farcis said when he asked the External Affairs Ministry about his case, officials expressed surprise. The journalist has since applied for a new work permit so he can return.

He added that he believes his case is part of a broader move by the Indian government to silence critical foreign journalists, following similar measures taken against local media through legal and financial pressures.

The Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs did not immediately respond to VOA’s email requesting comment.

But in a video last week, an External Affairs ministry spokesperson said Farcis had made the decision to leave, and that an application for the work permit is under consideration.

Two other foreign journalists faced similar challenges this year: Avani Dias, from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and French journalist Vanessa Dougnac.

In the case of Dias, authorities issued a short extension at the last moment, she said. But she still had to leave for Australia. She told reporters at the time she believes the denial was related to her coverage on the killing of a Sikh separatist.

Similar to Farcis’ case, authorities later denied that Dias was forced to leave, saying it had been her choice.

And in February, Dougnac says she was forced to leave after the India Home Ministry denied her work permit.

Dougnac told VOA that the cases for her and Farcis represent an alarming trend of repression against journalists.

The journalist, who contributes to several French-language media outlets, said it marks a stark difference from her two decades in the country.

“The essence of the work as a foreign correspondent was to report freely on India. For two decades, I felt valued and respected in India — a country that acknowledged the crucial role journalists play in upholding democratic values and freedom of speech,” she said via email. “Regrettably and unexpectedly, this perception changed.”

Dougnac said the permit denial left her feeling very vulnerable as a foreign journalist.

“My experience occurred in the context of increasing repression faced by Indian journalists,” she said. “Slowly, foreign correspondents began to sense they were next as the restrictions on their work kept increasing.”

Dougnac said it is hard to continue her career from outside India. But “solidarity is crucial for journalists facing difficulties. I believe overcoming this situation would have been very difficult for me without this support.”

Freelance journalist Raksha Kumar says she also has seen a change for media. She told VOA that foreign journalists can face restrictions if they plan to report in sensitive areas such as Indian-controlled Kashmir. But when it comes to accessing official sources, the challenges affect both local and foreign media, she said.

Kumar, who covers human rights, said the restrictions and hurdles reflect similar situations in China and Hong Kong.

International media watchdogs say legal action and visa denials are part of a wider decline they are seeing for India’s press freedom.

Celia Mercier of Reporters Without Borders told VOA the refusal of work permits “is an expulsion in disguise, as they were deprived of the right to work.”

“The goal is to intimidate and make the media subservient,” Mercier said. “It reflects the strategy of the authorities to control their image and the image of the country by suppressing media coverage that is not flattering.”

Kunal Majumder, who is the India representative of Committee to Protect Journalists, told VOA his organization has seen a steady decline.

“There has been an increase in the number of journalists who have been imprisoned, as well as a growing number of illegal cases against journalists by various state authorities,” Majumder said.

“We’ve also seen a rise in retaliatory actions against foreign correspondents, including visa denials and short-term visas,” he said.

Now back in France, Farcis acknowledged the challenges of his situation, but said he considers himself fortunate compared with Indian journalists.

“I feel still privileged to have a homeland to fall back into, not like Indian journalists who have to face more severe consequences, as landing in jails for years,” he said.
Delhi Grapples with Water Woes Amid Heat Wave (VOA)
VOA [6/26/2024 12:13 PM, Anjana Pasricha, 4032K, Negative]
Mushrat Parveen, a resident of a low-income neighborhood in the Indian capital, New Delhi, perches atop a tanker truck delivering water to her neighborhood to escape the chaos that ensues.

“Everyone keeps fighting for water, so I climb on top and use a pipe to make sure I fill two or three buckets. Then I help others,” says Parveen, who in recent weeks has been spending about two hours daily first waiting for the truck, then filling containers and lugging them home.

As taps in urban slums and working-class areas in Delhi run virtually dry, millions have been depending on water ferried by government tankers. It is not the only Indian megacity running low on water. Two months ago, a similar crisis afflicted India’s information technology hub, Bengaluru.

Water shortages are not new in urban India — the scramble for water in low-income areas has been a familiar scene during summer months for many years. But they have been worsening. Amid a weekslong, searing heat wave that gripped Delhi, the city became so parched this season that police were deployed to guard water pipes.

New Delhi’s water minister, Atishi, recently staged a hunger strike for four days, alleging that the neighboring Haryana state was not providing the city its share of water from the Yamuna river that runs through both places, resulting in acute scarcity.

"There are 2.8 million people in the city who are aching for just a drop of water,” she said. Her worsening health forced her to call off the protest on Tuesday.

Political disputes over sharing of water from common rivers have often erupted when shortages intensify.

Experts say rapid urbanization is exacerbating a problem that has been building in recent years.

“What’s happened is that most Indian cities have grown so fast that the water supply networks have not kept up with the rate of growth. Its unprecedented crazy growth,” said Veena Srinivasan, executive director with non-profit WELL Labs.

The populations of Delhi and Bengaluru have more than tripled in about three decades. Delhi is now home to nearly 20 million people while Bengaluru’s population is estimated at 14 million.

These cities have become home to upscale commercial hubs and industries as India’s economy booms, requiring more quality, fresh water. As a result, lakes and rivers harnessed to provide water have been shrinking and ground water levels plummeting.

A 2018 government report said that nearly 600 million people in the country are facing high to extreme “water stress.” That adds more than 40% of the country’s population.

While upscale neighborhoods in Delhi face virtually no scarcity of clean water, experts say slums are the most parched areas in the city.

“In some places especially the lower socioeconomic areas, we find that water availability is as low as 35 to 40 liters per capita per day. So, the distribution of water is iniquitous. On top, climate change comes as a force multiplier,” said Anjal Prakash, research director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy.

He says lack of investment in infrastructure such as water pipes and storage tanks has made the problem worse. “We have done some patchwork, but we have not done an integrated analysis of how this should be running. Delhi, for example, the leakage from the water infrastructure is about 58%.”

While India is a water-stressed country, the severe shortages cannot just be blamed on a shortfall of water, according to experts. Pointing to poor water management, they say authorities have not paid enough attention to strategies such as recycling wastewater or rainwater harvesting that would help conserve monsoon rains.

Experts say low water tariffs charged in India have also discouraged sufficient investment in schemes that could augment supplies.

“If water is free most of the time, the incentive to invest in good technology to really treat water, the incentive to harvest every last drop of rainwater, simply is not there, because it is not seen as a precious resource that is scarce. That remains a problem we have to grapple with in urban India,” points out Srinivasan.

For many Delhi residents, lives are upended by the water crisis every summer. Elderly residents like 82-year-old Kamlesh Devi say they cannot cope with the elbowing and shoving that ensues when tankers arrive.

“Four to six people come from one household and corner many buckets. Some of us keep standing. If we object, a scuffle ensues,” she says as she carries back two small containers that she will keep aside for drinking.

Ayesha Khatun, a diabetes patient relies on her family members to fetch water for cooking and cleaning because she cannot carry the buckets. “Our work gets affected. My husband sometimes loses a day’s work. My daughter has to skip school,” says Khatun. “And it is common for people to get hurt during the scuffles while filling water.”

With heat waves and water shortages likely to worsen, the situation in urban India could become grimmer, experts warn.
NSB
Philippines, Bangladesh push Asian migrant numbers to record high (Nikkei Asia)
Nikkei Asia [6/26/2024 11:52 AM, Shigeru Seno, 2042K, Neutral]
A record 6.93 million Asians newly migrated overseas for work in 2023, as more people from the Philippines, Bangladesh and other countries chase opportunities in advanced economies hungry for labor.

The data, compiled by the Asian Development Bank Institute, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and International Labour Organization, will be presented at a roundtable in Bangkok that starts Thursday.

The 2022 total has also been revised to 5.2 million from 4.6 million.

The number of new migrants from Asia had plunged with the spread of COVID-19 after peaking at 6.1 million in 2015 and 2016. But it has since bounced back, increasing 34% last year and topping the previous record by about 800,000.

The ADBI attributed the surge not only to a recovery in labor migration, but to structural shifts like a shrinking working-age population in advanced economies.

Remittances by migrant workers to the Asia-Pacific also set record in 2023 at about $371.5 billion, making up 43% of total global remittances.

The Philippines sent the largest number of migrants at 2.3 million, a 93% jump from 2022 and accounting for a third of the labor migration from Asian countries. Bangladesh followed with 1.3 million, then Pakistan by 860,000.

Roughly two-thirds of migrant workers from the Philippines are women, many of whom work as housekeepers, cleaners, nurses and caregivers. Top destinations include the Middle East, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Meanwhile, many Bangladeshi and Pakistani migrants are believed to work in construction.

In terms of destination, about half of all migrants headed to Persian Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia topped the list of recipient countries at 1.6 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates.

Malaysia, a Muslim country as well, also saw a surge in inbound workers to around 760,000.

Overall, the migration corridor from South Asia, including countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, to the Middle East remained active in 2023. But other corridors also gained prominence, with more Bangladeshi workers migrating to Malaysia and more Philippine workers migrating to the UAE.

India continued to account for a large portion of migration to advanced Western economies, where English-speaking software engineers are in high demand. India was the top sender of migrants to the U.S., the European Union, the U.K., Canada and Australia in 2023.

The U.S. issued 193,000 H-1B visas, often used by software engineers, to Indian nationals in 2023, down slightly from the previous year.

Meanwhile, issuances to Chinese nationals, despite remaining much lower than issuances to Indians, surged 275%, rebounding from a drop between 2020 and 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. tensions with China.

Japan had 2 million foreign nationals working there as of October. But other advanced economies in the region, like South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, are also wooing workers from overseas amid a severe labor shortage. Nearly 60,000 Vietnamese workers migrated to Taiwan in 2023, while another 80,000 migrated to Japan.

Remittances from these workers are an economic driver for many emerging and developing countries, accounting for over 20% of gross domestic product for Tajikistan, Tonga, Samoa and Nepal.

Remittances to Oceania, South Asia and Southeast Asia grew in 2023. Remittances to Central Asia fell, stemming partly from the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Vanishing Islands That Failed to Vanish (New York Times)
New York Times [6/26/2024 4:14 PM, Raymond Zhong and Jason Gulley, 831K, Neutral]
On a wisp of land in the Indian Ocean, two hops by plane and one bumpy speedboat ride from the nearest continent, the sublime blue waves lapping at the bone-white sand are just about all that breaks the stillness of a hot, windless afternoon.

The very existence of low-slung tropical islands seems improbable, a glitch. A nearly seamless meeting of land and sea, peeking up like an illusion above the violent oceanic expanse, they are among the most marginal environments humans have ever called home.

And indeed, when the world began paying attention to global warming decades ago, these islands, which form atop coral reefs in clusters called atolls, were quickly identified as some of the first places climate change might ravage in their entirety. As the ice caps melted and the seas crept higher, these accidents of geologic history were bound to be corrected and the tiny islands returned to watery oblivion, probably in this century.

Then, not very long ago, researchers began sifting through aerial images and found something startling. They looked at a couple dozen islands first, then several hundred, and by now close to 1,000. They found that over the past few decades, the islands’ edges had wobbled this way and that, eroding here, building there. By and large, though, their area hadn’t shrunk. In some cases, it was the opposite: They grew. The seas rose, and the islands expanded with them.

Scientists have come to understand some but not all of the reasons for this. Which is why a team of them recently converged in the Maldives, on an island they’d spend weeks outfitting with instruments and sensors and cameras.

They were there to learn more about how the steady collision of blue waves and white sand does surprising and seemingly magical things to coastlines, both destroying land and extending it. Really, though, they were trying to answer a bigger question: If atoll nations aren’t facing certain and imminent erasure, then what are they facing? For having a future is not the same thing as having a secure future.

If, for instance, some of their islands become difficult to live on but others do not, then atoll governments will have to make hard choices about which places to save and which to sacrifice. In the places they save, they will have to plan for the long term about supplying fresh water, about creating jobs, about providing schools and health care and infrastructure. They will have to invent the best future they can with the limited resources they have.

In short, atolls might not be such outliers in this world after all. Look hard enough, and they start to look a lot like everywhere else.

‘WONDERFUL OBJECTS OF THIS WORLD’

Swaying palms, unspoiled beaches and abundant sunshine are the main draws for most visitors to atolls. Not for scientists. No, to understand what really beguiles them about these islands, you need to take a dive into the surrounding sea. Or you need to gaze down from a plane. Or, for the very best view of all, you should really find a way to peer back into the past.

There, you would see the island volcanoes that once stood in the atolls’ place, as lofty and incandescent as today’s specks of land are flat and calm. Fast-forward a bit, enough to let the tectonic plates shift, and you would see the volcanoes start to cool and subside. As they sank, corals would colonize their flanks, growing higher and higher. In time, the volcanoes would be no more and all you’d see was the ringlike reefs, each one encircling a lagoon. Where the reefs poked up high enough, wind and waves would toss up sand and rubble, forming slender islets.

These are the atolls. And they can look wildly different depending on where they are in the process.

In French Polynesia, some are neat little ringlets of land and others are long, swooping necklaces. In the Maldives, they are huge and ragged and misshapen. In Micronesia, volcanic remnants still tower above some islands like stern gods. Within some atolls, there are mini-atolls, even micro-atolls: rings within rings within rings.

“Such formations surely rank high amongst the wonderful objects of this world,” Charles Darwin wrote in 1836 after visiting an Indian Ocean atoll during his voyage on the Beagle.

It was Darwin who first theorized that atolls were burial sites for dead volcanoes, that these modest, almost shy, formations had astonishing pasts. Only later did scientists discover a key piece of their more recent history: Swings in sea level, they realized, had drowned and exposed the islands several times through the ages. Which didn’t bode particularly well for them today, now that global warming was causing the oceans’ rise to speed up.

To understand what had happened to the atolls since this acceleration began, two researchers, Arthur Webb and Paul Kench, decided to look down at them from above. The scientists collected mid-20th century aerial photos of 27 Pacific islands. Then, they compared them to recent satellite images. “I’m not sure we really knew what we would find,” Dr. Kench recalled.

Their findings caused an uproar.

The seas had risen an inch or so each decade, yet the waves had kept piling sediment on the islands’ shores, enough to mean that most of them hadn’t changed much in size. Their position on the reef might have shifted. Their shape might be different. Whatever was going on, it clearly wasn’t as simple as oceans rise, islands wash away.

Dr. Webb and Dr. Kench’s study, which came out in 2010, inspired other scientists to hunt for more old photos and conduct further analysis. The patterns they’ve uncovered in recent years are remarkably consistent across the 1,000 or so islands they’ve studied: Some shrank, others grew. Many, however, were stable. These studies have also added to the intrigue by revealing another pattern: Islands in ocean regions where sea level rise is fastest generally haven’t eroded more than those elsewhere.

Huvadhoo Atoll is a gourd-shaped ring of 241 islands in the southern Maldives.

Researchers studied aerial and satellite imagery of 184 islands to see how they had changed in recent decades.

Nearly 42 percent of the islands had lost ground to erosion.

But a similar proportion, 39 percent, were relatively stable in area, even as they shifted in shape.

And 20 percent of islands grew, a few of them because humans had created new land.

Precisely why certain islands shrank while others did not is what scientists are now hoping to figure out.

And yet, to really grasp the forces at work, and to anticipate what they might do to the islands next, scientists also need to study atolls up close. Which is why Dr. Kench came back this spring to the Maldives, to a blob of jungly land just a few miles north of the Equator.

Amid the dull, distant thunder of waves crashing on the reef, Dr. Kench walked past a section of beach that the currents had eaten away. Several palm trees lay toppled, half-buried in the sand.

“People obsess on that end of the island,” he said. Then he pointed up ahead. “This side has got bigger.”

SCIENCE AS ‘DETECTIVE WORK’

The day before, another island in the same atoll was abuzz with activity. One group of scientists and graduate students measured currents using makeshift buoys. Another group fiddled with a tower-mounted sensor that mapped the waves running up the beach. A third team dove down to the seafloor, where they installed instruments within the intricate coral canyons that, from above, gave the reef its streaky, ethereal look.

One doctoral researcher, Aitana Gea Neuhaus, scooped up a spadeful of sand and beheld the miniature universe it contained: puzzle-piece fragments of coral and calcareous algae in a mad variety of shapes and textures; crushed shells of bivalves, crustaceans and single-celled foraminifera; the sugar-white sand particles that parrotfish churn out of their digestive tracts.

Back at her lab at the University of Plymouth, in southwest England, Ms. Gea Neuhaus will spend months examining her sand samples under a microscope, classifying and counting the grains to piece together how the island came to be.

“Basically, it’s a forensic exercise,” Dr. Kench said. Like “detective work,” Ms. Gea Neuhaus added.

The researchers were hoping all this data from the island, Dhigulaabadhoo, would help them see the future. Only with hard numbers can you start projecting island change going forward, said Dr. Kench, who teaches at the National University of Singapore. “That’s the holy grail.”

Was this uninhabited curlicue of sand the place they would find it, the holy grail? The island is two miles long and 700 feet across at its widest. On first glance, it looks as spare and featureless as a desert island from a comic strip. To the scientists, though, it contains multitudes.

There’s its shape, for one: not a blob but a fishhook, which means the waves are different depending on how they bend and clash with one another before meeting the shore. There are gravel ramparts and rubble patches and rocky outcroppings, all of which suggest an eventful history of working and reworking by the elements.

Then, of course, there is the reef, which is so vivid and varied and alive that it hardly seems possible, or fair, that it is the source of so much of the broken, washed-out material that crunches underfoot on the beach. Wade just a few paces offshore and there are corals like brains, corals like lacy fronds, corals like battered fingers of tempura, corals like angry thickets of thorns, corals the precise shape and purple hue of a frosted doughnut.

One morning, Dr. Kench and a few other researchers hacked away a clearing in the jungle and bored a hole in the ground. Down went a six-foot steel pipe.

They were trying to glimpse the island’s deep past, to reconstruct its major chapters, layer by ancient layer. And they had some idea of how far below ground to look, thanks to seismic measurements that Tim Scott, an ocean scientist at Plymouth, had taken. Still, he warned the group: “It’s not an exact science.”

Dr. Scott sledgehammered the pipe down. “This is the moment of truth,” Dr. Kench said.

They levered out the pipe and hoisted it above a tarp. Out came a messy line of sediment and gravel and coral bits. Everyone leaned in close. No group of people in human history had ever seemed more interested in some chunks of damp sand.

Dr. Scott tried to puzzle out why the fine and rough material were jumbled together, not crisply layered as they’d hoped. Gerd Masselink, a coastal scientist at Plymouth, grinned. “Well, you know, it’s not an exact science,” he said.

Sitting around one evening before dinner, the researchers pondered whether even inexact science could help atoll governments think through their options. The Maldives has nearly 200 inhabited islands. Barricading the shores around each one would be ruinously expensive. It might make more sense to enact new building codes so homes and towns are more resilient to flooding. Or to figure out which beaches could be restored by adding sand and which beaches will wash away no matter what, which parts of islands to develop and which to avoid. Here, science could help.

“They’ve got a bit of time, but they need to be thinking about it quickly,” Dr. Kench said. “To me, that’s the challenge: How do you coexist with the change that’s coming?”

Change has been constant on another island Dr. Kench has studied: Kandahalagalaa, which appears in a 1969 aerial photo of Huvadhoo Atoll.

He and his colleagues measured the edge of vegetation in the photo, then compared their findings to recent satellite images.

By 2005, the edge had shifted south. The northern side of the island had eroded and the southern side had grown.

Over the next five years, the eastern tip of the island eroded slightly.

Then, the western curve of the island expanded.

Later, a new point of land formed… and widened. The island didn’t shrink over the past half-century, but its shape transformed, from a potato to a teardrop.

To Curt Storlazzi, a coastal researcher with the United States Geological Survey, the big question is how much time atolls actually have to adapt, especially with global warming putting so much strain on reefs.

On its own, coral bleaching isn’t necessarily bad for islands. When corals go white and frail, they can become infested by even more of the cyanobacteria that parrotfish love to munch on. The parrotfish flourish; they produce more sand. Eventually, the coral recovers. But scientists aren’t sure what happens to sand supplies when mass bleaching episodes are as regular, and severe, as they now are.

“Historically, they were so infrequent that you’d have recovery,” Dr. Storlazzi said. “The problem is, we’re going to get to the point that it’s so frequent that they don’t recover.”

COEXISTING WITH SHIFTING SHORES

Among scientists who study islands and coasts, the most common advice for dealing with sea level rise can sound a lot like doing nothing. Coexistence, to use Dr. Kench’s word, means accepting that the mighty ocean will do what it will and learning to live with it. It means planning smartly around the water rather than trying to keep it away with expensive engineering projects, which carry their own complicated suite of environmental side effects.

And yet, to the man who actually decides how the Maldives deals with sea level rise, welcoming the water would be just as unacceptable as doing nothing.

“If there’s coastal erosion, then we have to do something about it,” the country’s environment minister, Thoriq Ibrahim, said in an interview. “We can’t just leave it, thinking that nature will expand the island.”

Another issue in the Maldives is that so many people now live on islands that have already been extensively engineered, where planners long ago decided there was no better way to live with the water than to keep it out.

Decades ago, the capital, Malé, which is less than one square mile in area, started getting crowded. So the government began heaping sand onto a nearby reef to create a new island, Hulhumalé. It made Hulhumalé bigger than Malé and, crucially, taller — six or so feet above sea level, compared with four in the capital.

Now Hulhumalé is filling up, too, and officials recently broke ground, so to speak, on another new island, Ras Malé. This one will be the area’s biggest and tallest yet, connected to Malé via undersea tunnel.

Already, more than 40 percent of the country’s population of half a million lives in the capital region. And, as more people move there from far-off islands — for better jobs, for good hospitals, good schools — even more of them will be packed into a few areas, sitting above the swollen tides.

Head toward Hulhumalé’s northern end, and the horizon is filled by row after row of concrete monoliths. These are the Hiyaa towers, and they are hulking and vertical like nothing else in the Maldives.

Hariyya Ibrahim lives in a two-room apartment there with six other people. She moved for her family’s health. The medical center on their home island did only basic blood tests.

Still, Ms. Hariyya said, whenever she goes back, she finds it hard to leave. “I feel elated there,” she said. “It’s my home island.”

‘QUIET IS NOT EVERYTHING’

The Maldives isn’t forsaking its hundreds of other islands. The country has invested in new airports, harbors and roads to promote economic development beyond the capital. It’s these less-populated islands where scientists say people can still learn to coexist with expanding and contracting shores, to adapt to nature’s give-and-take.

The issue is whether people can wait. Whether their needs for modern services, for better lives, will lead them to demand sea walls and breakwaters and land reclamation, the very things that could diminish the islands’ natural resilience. Or whether they will simply leave.

When Adam Shakir wanted to open a hotel on the island of Himandhoo, he thought the beach on the southwest shore, a local favorite, would be a perfect spot. He started construction in 2021.

That’s when the bodies started coming out of the sand.

The location, it turned out, had been the site of a long-forgotten mosque and burial ground. Suddenly, the beach was washing away, and Mr. Adam had some idea why: The island had just built a new harbor nearby. Much of the sand that the currents had been delivering to the beach was being trapped by the breakwaters.

Farhath Ibrahim, who oversees infrastructure projects for Himandhoo’s island council, acknowledged that the harbor had worsened erosion. But by making it easier to load and unload heavy equipment and materials, it also kicked off a construction boom, he said. The council has installed water and sewage systems. A youth center with a gym is in the works, as is a coffee shop.

Mr. Adam started welcoming guests at his hotel, Manta Sea View, in January. Three floors, rooftop restaurant. Unbeatable views at sunset. The luminous water mere steps away.

Mr. Adam is doing what he can to stop the water from coming even closer. He has fashioned rough barriers out of logs and sand bags and concrete rubble.

The island of Rakeedhoo, in a neighboring atoll, hasn’t seen much of an economic boost from its new harbor. In 2000, more than 230 people lived here; today the population is less than 80. No inhabited island in the Maldives has fewer inhabitants. And earlier this year, its leaders decided to do something about it: They asked the country’s president to move the entire community somewhere else. Ideally, somewhere near Malé.

The president, Mohamed Muizzu, offered his support, though plenty of details remain to be worked out: housing, financial assistance, timing. And what would become of the quiet little island they left behind? “Quiet is not everything,” said Hussain Rasheed, the Rakeedhoo council’s vice president. “Family, children, education, good health: That’s more important.”

Rakeedhoo really started shedding residents after its schoolteacher moved away and nobody replaced her. One by one, the community lost its young families. It became an island with a playground but few children.

If the atolls’ near future is written in their recent past, then we can foretell it: Some islands will shrink, others will grow. Many will be stable. But which of these places people will actually want to call home is the harder question, a question that every country confronts in one form or another, a question as eternal as the tides.

Last year Rakeedhoo’s school reopened, in a way: Two students sit with laptops and connect by video to a classroom in Hulhumalé. The new administrator, Ashiya Fahmee, isn’t sure they’re learning very much. Soon, though, it might not matter. Ms. Ashiya’s son is almost school-age. She plans to move to Malé so he can start his education there. What happens to Rakeedhoo’s school without her? She is not waiting around to find out.
Maldives Climate Minister Arrested Over ‘Black Magic’ (Agence France-Presse)
Agence France-Presse [6/26/2024 4:14 PM, Staff, 1.4M, Negative]
Police in the Maldives have arrested a state environment minister, officers said Thursday, with media in the Indian Ocean nation reporting she was accused of performing "black magic" on the president.

State Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Energy, Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, was arrested on Sunday along with two others in the capital Male, police said.

She has been remanded in custody for a week pending investigations, officers added, without giving details for her arrest.

"There have been reports that Shamnaz was arrested for performing black magic on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu," said the Sun, a local media outlet.

Police would neither confirm nor deny the report.

Her position is an important job in a nation on the frontlines of the climate crisis, with UN environment experts warning rising seas could make it virtually uninhabitable by the end of the century.

Sorcery is not a criminal offence under the penal code in the Muslim-majority Maldives, but it does carry a six-month jail sentence under Islamic law.

People across the archipelago widely practice traditional ceremonies, believing they can win favours and curse opponents.

A 62-year-old woman was stabbed to death by three neighbours on Manadhoo in April 2023 after she was accused of conducting black magic ceremonies, the Mihaaru news site reported last week, after a lengthy police investigation.

It quoted police as saying that they had failed to find any evidence the murder victim performed sorcery.

In 2012, police cracked down on an opposition political rally after accusing organisers of throwing a "cursed rooster" at officers raiding their offices.
Heavy rains in Nepal kill 20 in two days amid landslides, lightning strikes (Reuters)
Reuters [6/26/2024 7:51 AM, Gopal Sharma, 42991K, Negative]
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal, killing at least 11 people, with another nine killed by lightning strikes over the past two days, officials said on Wednesday.

Landslides swept away three houses overnight in Lamjung district, about 125 km (80 miles) west of Kathmandu, killing four people including two children, district administrator Buddha Bahadur Gurung said.

In Morang district about 500 km (310 miles) southeast of the Nepali capital, flooding has taken the lives of four people since Tuesday, district official Tek Kumar Regmi said.

Another three died in landslides in Kaski in the west and Okhaldhunga in east Nepal.

Hundreds of people are killed every year in floods and landslides, which are common in mostly mountainous Nepal during the monsoon season from mid-June to mid-September.
Sri Lanka reaches deal on debt restructuring with bilateral creditors including China and France (AP)
AP [6/26/2024 8:49 PM, Bharatha Mallawarachi, 31180K, Negative]
Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a debt restructuring deal with countries including India, France, Japan and China in a televised address to the nation Wednesday. The agreement marks a key step in the country’s economic recovery after defaulting on debt repayment in 2022.

Sri Lanka is under an International Monetary Fund bailout program and the debt treatment deal is expected to reopen the doors to bilateral transactions and the resumption of foreign projects stalled when the island nation defaulted.

“This morning in Paris, Sri Lanka reached a final agreement with our official bilateral creditors. Similarly, we signed another agreement with China’s Exim Bank today in Beijing. ... Sri Lanka won,” Wickremesinghe said.

Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy in April 2022 and suspended repayments on some $83 billion in domestic and foreign loans amid a severe foreign exchange crisis that led to a severe shortage of essentials such as food, medicine, fuel and cooking gas, and hours-long power cuts.

Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of staggering economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with 2019 terrorism attacks devastated its important tourism industry. The coronavirus crisis also disrupted the flow of remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad.

Additionally, the then-government slashed taxes in 2019, depleting the treasury just as the virus hit. Foreign exchange reserves plummeted, leaving Sri Lanka unable to pay for imports or defend its beleaguered currency, the rupee.

Wickremesinghe said with these agreements, Sri Lanka will be able to defer all bilateral loan instalment payments until 2028. Furthermore, Sri Lanka will be able to repay all the loans on concessional terms, with an extended period until 2043.

According to a previous president’s office statement, the agreements would cover $10 billion, but further details on the mode of restructuring were not immediately announced.

By 2022, Sri Lanka had to repay about $6 billion in foreign debt every year, amounting to about 9.2% of gross domestic product. The agreement would enable Sri Lanka to maintain debt payments at less than 4.5% of GDP between 2027 and 2032.

As Wickremesinghe addressed the nation, his supporters the watched the speech on a giant screen in the capital Colombo and celebrated the announcement by lighting firecrackers and partaking traditional milk rice.

The economic upheaval led to a political crisis that forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign in 2022. The Parliament then elected Wickremesinghe as president.

Sri Lanka suspended repayment of its debt as it ran short of foreign currency needed to pay for imports of fuel and other essentials. Shortages led to street protests that changed the country’s leadership. The IMF approved a four-year bailout program last March.

The economic situation has improved under Wickremesinghe and severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine have largely abated. But public dissatisfaction has grown over the government’s effort to increase revenue by raising electricity bills and imposing heavy new income taxes on professionals and businesses, as part of the government’s efforts to meet the IMF conditions.

After Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy, all projects funded by foreign loans were also halted.

on Wednesday, Wickremesinghe said the new agreements would pave way to resume the foreign funded projects such as highways, light railway and airport development and also initiate new projects too.
Sri Lanka agrees debt restructuring plan with Japan, India, others (Nikkei Asia)
Nikkei Asia [6/26/2024 6:09 AM, Munza Mushtaq, 2042K, Negative]
Bankrupt Sri Lanka received a fresh boost on Wednesday after reaching an agreement in Paris to restructure $5.8 billion of debt with creditors, as the government tries to steer the country out of its worst economic crisis.

Sri Lanka’s creditor committee includes Japan, South Korea, Australia, the U.S. and France. India also is working with the group as a nonmember creditor.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the nation Wednesday evening, hailed the agreements as a "significant milestone in the recent history of Sri Lanka."

"Sri Lanka won," he said.

Shehan Semasinghe, the state minister of finance, said earlier in the day that Sri Lanka and the Export-Import Bank of China had signed a final agreement on debt treatment totaling $4.2 billion.

"We are pleased to announce that the final agreement has been reached on debt restructuring between Sri Lanka and the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) on the sidelines of the Paris Forum 2024 in Paris, France," Semasinghe posted on X from Paris.

"On behalf of Sri Lanka, I would like to sincerely thank the OCC chairs -- France, India, and Japan -- as well as the Export-Import Bank of China for their leadership in this process, as well as all OCC members for their unwavering support," he wrote.

Murtaza Jafferjee, chair of the Colombo-based Advocata Institute think tank, said the government has completed half the job, and the remaining task is to reach an agreement with commercial creditors.

"All indications suggest that an agreement will be reached within approximately one month. This agreement will allow rating agencies to remove us from selective default," Jafferjee said, adding that this could attract foreign investors again and help revive Sri Lanka’s infrastructure works.

"Crossing this significant hurdle means that many stalled projects, such as the Katunayake Airport expansion project and the first phase of the Central Expressway, can restart," he said.

The airport was only half completed before construction was stopped due to a lack of funds. Two phases of the expressway were meant to have been finished in 2025 and 2026.

Others sounded a less optimistic note.

"The road to exiting bankruptcy status is still some distance away," said Imran Furkan, CEO of Tresync, a consultancy firm focused on the Asia-Pacific region.

With Sri Lanka scheduled to hold elections later this year, Furkan said Wickremesinghe will wield Wednesday’s agreement as an achievement, though whether voters take note is another issue.

"The average Sri Lankan voter is too preoccupied with the high cost of living and loss of purchasing power to focus on this issue," he said. "The absence of fuel queues and shortages, which are in the past, have also served to reduce any real impact of the president’s announcement on the psychology of the voting public."

The restructuring agreements allow Sri Lanka to postpone all bilateral loan payments to foreign countries until 2028, the president said. Sri Lanka also will have the extended opportunity to repay these loans on concessionary terms until 2043.

"Now that agreements with bilateral creditors have been signed, we need to reach an agreement with commercial creditors," Wickremesinghe said in his address. "We are moving forward with these discussions. This will pave the way for the commencement of suspended projects such as the airport expansion project, the light rail transit project and expressway project."

Wickremesinghe said the deals signed Wednesday will be presented to parliament by the prime minister on July 2 for approval.

"I ask everyone who loves this country to approve this agreement," he said.

The president said Sri Lanka had faced a dire situation with even its letters of credit being rejected, but that the country’s credibility will be assured once again.

"You must make a decision," he said in his address. "Your decision should not be to safeguard Ranil Wickremesinghe’s future, but to safeguard the future of our country, your future and your children’s future."
Sri Lanka Blocks Exam Results over Muslim Head Coverings (Human Rights Watch)
Human Rights Watch [6/26/2024 1:33 PM, Meenakshi Ganguly, 2.1M, Negative]
Government officials in Sri Lanka are withholding exam results from 70 Muslim women and girls because their head coverings allegedly covered their ears while they took their exams. The decision violates the students’ right to freedom of religion and further entrenches discrimination widely experienced by Muslims in Sri Lanka.

The students, many from relatively low-income families living near the eastern city of Trincomalee, took their A-levels (advanced level) in January. Instead of the more tight-fitting hijab, they wore loose, “transparent” white shawls to cover their heads to comply with a regulation that candidates’ ears must be visible to prevent cheating. Those supervising allowed the exam to proceed.

Nevertheless, the government’s Department of Examination determined the students had worn hijabs, which could have allowed them to conceal Bluetooth earpieces, and withheld their results when other students received their exam grades on May 31. They now risk being denied a chance for a university education.

Activists and teachers said Muslim girls often face barriers to education within their own communities, and these students, who had overcome such obstacles, have fallen victim to “anti-Muslim sentiment.” There have been previous disputes in Trincomalee over Muslim dress in the education sector. Muslim A-level candidates do not appear to have experienced the same discrimination anywhere else in Sri Lanka, although 13 women sitting a teachers’ exam in Colombo, the capital, reportedly faced a similar challenge in 2023.

Sri Lanka has repeatedly imposed regulations that discriminate against the country’s Muslim minority in recent years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the government banned the burial of people said to have died with the virus, causing immense distress to bereaved Muslim families whose religion prohibits cremation. There have been repeated incidents of anti-Muslim violence, provoked or exacerbated by false claims promoted with impunity by officials and government supporters.

While it is necessary for authorities to ensure the integrity of exams, measures should not discriminate against students on the basis of religion or gender. Rigorous searches of all candidates entering the exam room are already in effect in Sri Lanka. Denying these students their A-levels will cause them significant harm, while belying government claims that it seeks harmony and reconciliation among communities.
Central Asia
Who Will Take Lenin’s Place? A Dispute Over A Monument And Decolonialism In Kazakhstan (Radio Free Europe)
Radio Free Europe [6/26/2024 9:51 AM, Staff, 1530K, Neutral]
Two years ago, officials in Ridder, a city in northeastern Kazakhstan, decided to erect a monument in honor of Filipp Ridder, the 18th- and 19th-century mining engineer for whom the town is named.

Public opinion was sharply divided, with supporters arguing that Ridder -- who discovered a significant mineral deposit that led to the city’s founding -- deserved such recognition, while opponents saw the monument as a symbol of colonialism.

Following the public outcry, the monument was never installed, and the plinth -- where a statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin once stood -- stands empty.

A City On The Border

Located just 50 kilometers from Russia, Ridder in recent years has endured challenges that brought it a measure of infamy. An accident at the local thermal plant left many of its residents without heat during frigid winter months, and the potential closure due to poor maintenance of Shanyrak, its only Kazakh-language school, are signs of a city struggling.

About 50,000 people officially live in the city, with nearly 74 percent being ethnic Russian, 20 percent Kazakh, and the rest mainly German, Tatar, and Ukrainian.

In 1941, just before the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, the town was renamed Leninogorsk in honor of the founder of the U.S.S.R. During World War II, the city produced nearly half of the Soviet Union’s high-quality lead.

Debates have continued over what monument should replace Lenin, with some advocating for a monument to the famous Kazakh poet Abai and others supporting a statue to the city’s founder.

Who Was Filipp Ridder?

Filipp Filippovic Ridder was born in 1759 in St. Petersburg. A Russian explorer and mining engineer of German descent, he discovered a mine containing gold, silver, copper, and lead in 1786 in what is now northeastern Kazakhstan.

The city named after him bore his name from 1796 until it was changed to Leninogorsk in 1941 -- reverting back to Ridder in 2002 following a decree by then-President Nursultan Nazarbaev. The Lenin statue was removed, but the pedestal remained.

The Controversy

In 2022, a city commission decided to erect a monument to Ridder, producing a 3-meter statue at a cost of 30 million tenge ($64,000). The decision was made without public consultation, however, and sparked protests when its unveiling was announced.

While some residents welcomed the statue, others strongly opposed it.

Local activist Nazar Asainov recalls reading the news of the statue on Instagram.

"There were happy comments under the post announcing the statue would be unveiled on Republic Day. But I thought the city center was a place of honor among Kazakhs," Asainov says. "It is customary to seat a particularly respected person there. Ridder served the Russian Empire under Catherine II."

Amid the public outcry, the statue was never erected.

Hanging In A Garage

Irdan Gasin, who created the sculpture, says he’s tired of dealing with it and can’t wait to get rid of it.

"Ridder’s statue is ready. For two years, it has been lying with us, as if it was bothering us," he says. "To be honest, it’s getting in the way. I want to take it to the mayor’s office to put it somewhere."

Opponents And Supporters Sound Off

Nadezhda Klimova, the former deputy chairwoman of Kidder’s branch of the ruling Nur-Otan party (now called Amanat) -- which is the largest political party in Kazakhstan and has controlled the country since 1999 -- says a historical figure who left such a mark on the history of the region deserves a monument.

"Tell me, how does Ridder’s monument spoil the appearance of the city or the history of the city?" an exasperated Klimova says, pointing to the empty pedestal. "To know and love, respect, and not rewrite or manipulate history. After all, our residents are not [all the same] people.

"If you start digging into history, [it] is really complex. Why succumb to some kind of brainwashing from the West when you have your own history?" she asks.

Klimova adds: "Now the younger generation has fallen under the tide of Americanization, is going crazy, is looking for those to blame in history who are not there.”

Local resident Mikhail Serebrennikov recalls a simpler life under the Soviet system where he believes people were more united and tolerant.

"I don’t know. It was somehow more friendly. The people were never divided into nationalities. And now we have, ‘This is my city. You are actually in my Kazakhstan,’” he says. "I don’t know how this is not my Kazakhstan if I was born here."

Standing among tall grass and near a path is a monument to Sergei Kirov, a Bolshevik leader who helped establish Soviet power in eastern Kazakhstan in the last century. Last year, when an initiative to dismantle the Kirov monument was proposed, many residents opposed the idea. They took it upon themselves to repaint the old statue and repair the pedestal.

Local activist Nazar Asainov notes that with the town being so close to Russia, it feels the influence of Russian propaganda, especially since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"When Kazakhs set up [special] yurts in Ukraine (called Yurts Of Invincibility and designed to help residents stay warm and charge their electronic devices during power outages caused by Russian attacks on infrastructure), some people claimed that ‘they set up yurts for the Nazis,’" Asainov says.

Kuralai Sadykova, head of the city’s Kazakh-language society, is also against the Ridder monument. She believes the protests reflect a broader decolonization process occurring in people’s minds.

“Under the colonial policy, our ancestors were exterminated through starvation. Destroyed by war. Before this, there was oppression. Our grandparents, who saw all this, said, ‘Be silent; if you don’t remain silent, you will not go far. Silence saves you from great trouble. Don’t talk. There’s no need to talk. Don’t ask and don’t demand.’"

Sadykova adds, "Decolonization means that every nation has the right to widely disseminate its spiritual values."

Celebrating Openness

Ridder Deputy Mayor Erbolat Oshakbaev says the monument is not about colonialization and that the city is welcoming to all.

"We are all citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Kazakhstan is an independent state," he said.

As an example of how events in the city align with current state ideology, Oshakbaev cited the recently held Persian New Year celebrations.

"According to the presidential decree, the issue of celebrating Norouz for 10 days in a row was raised, and the people of Ridder supported this wholeheartedly. First, we held a special meeting with representatives of all ethnocultural organizations and members of the Kazakh-language society to discuss how to celebrate....

"Of course, Norouz was celebrated in Ridder before, but never on such a large-scale like this year," Oshakbaev said.

Was Money Wasted?

In Kazakhstan, there is a list of historical figures eligible to be recognized with monuments. Filipp Ridder is not on it.

In 2022, when the dispute over his statue arose, the institution for protecting historical and cultural heritage within the East Kazakhstan Regional Culture Department studied the issue and concluded that installing the Ridder statue would be "illegal" and subsequently barred it.

Nazar Asayinov, a Ridder resident, plans to sue the members of the commission who decided to install the monument. He argues that the 30 million tenge ($64,000) spent on the statue should be reimbursed by the commission members and also suggests changing the city’s name.

"The 30 million [tenge] spent on the monument must be returned by the commission members. If they keep making costly mistakes [with public finances], what will be left? Or will everything be forgiven?" he asks.

"The name of the city needs to be changed urgently. What are Ridder’s contributions to Kazakhstan?" Asayinov asks.

But Oshakbaev disagrees that the funds were wasted and is positive that a suitable location for the Ridder monument will eventually be found.

"This issue should be resolved through discussions with the population and in agreement with the commission," he says.
Ukraine Starts Extradition Process For Kazakhs Suspected Of Attempted Murder Of Activist In Kyiv (Radio Free Europe)
Radio Free Europe [6/26/2024 4:14 PM, Staff, 235K, Neutral]
The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office said on June 25 that it had started the extradition process for two Kazakh nationals suspected of the attempted murder of Kazakh opposition activist and journalist Aidos Sadyqov in Kyiv.

Sadyqov, an outspoken critic of Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev and his government, was shot on June 18 while he was in his car in the Ukrainian capital and is currently in intensive care.

His wife, Natalya Sadyqova, who is also a journalist, was in the vehicle during the attack but was unharmed.

Just one day after the attack, Ukrainian police said investigators established that Sadyqov had been shot by two Kazakh suspects -- Altai Zhaqanbaev, born in 1988, and Meiram Qarataev, born in 1991 -- who were added to an international wanted list.

On June 22, Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor-General’s Office said the Central Asian nation’s police had detained Zhaqanbaev and that they were trying to establish the whereabouts of Qarataev.

Natalya Sadyqova has said that Qarataev worked as a police officer in the northern Qostanai region. The Kazakh Interior Ministry, however, claimed that Qarataev had been sacked from the police force in 2019.

On June 26, Kazakh Deputy Interior Minister Marat Qozhaev told RFE/RL that if Ukraine requests extradition of the two suspects from Kazakhstan, "everything will proceed in accordance with the law."

He did not elaborate.

Qozhaev declined to answer RFE/RL’s question about how and under what circumstances Zhaqanbaev was detained.

When RFE/RL asked Qozhaev if media reports saying that Zhaqanbaev used to work in the structures of the Committee for National Security were true, Qozhaev answered: "I do not have such information."

The Sadyqovs, along with their children, moved to Kyiv in 2014 after Kazakh authorities launched a case against Sadyqova, who worked as a journalist for the independent Respublika newspaper at the time. She was accused of slander.

Natalya Sadyqova said the attempted assassination against her husband appeared to be a "professional" operation.

On June 19, Sadyqova told RFE/RL that, hours before the attack, she and her husband had issued a new video titled Toqaev Is Putin’s Puppet on their YouTube channel.

The video criticizes Toqaev’s "pro-Russian politics" and looks at the activities of Russian oligarchs and agents of influence in Kazakhstan, some of whom obtained Kazakh citizenship after Russia launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

She added that Toqaev would have stood to gain from her husband’s killing but did not present any evidence that connected the president in any way to the shooting.

Toqaev’s spokesman, Berik Uali, said on June 21 that the Kazakh president "had ordered law enforcement entities to find the two suspects’ whereabouts and undertake corresponding measures."

"Kazakhstan’s side is ready to cooperate with Ukraine’s law enforcement structures, including via Interpol," Uali said.

Sadyqov used to lead a branch of the opposition Azat Social Democratic Party in his native Aqtobe region in Kazakhstan’s northwest until 2010. He later headed a group that was a major force for establishing a union to defend the rights of Kazakh workers at the Chinese-owned CNPC-Aktobemunaygaz oil company.
Construction Starts On Kyrgyz Garment Factory To Employ Relatives Of 2010 Protest Victims (Radio Free Europe)
Radio Free Europe [6/26/2024 5:52 AM, Staff, 1530K, Negative]
The construction of a garment factory near Bishkek to employ relatives of more than 80 Kyrgyz men and women killed during anti-government protests in June 2010 began earlier this month, according to plant construction foreman Jenish Nusubaliev. The unrest toppled then-President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who was sentenced in absentia to several lengthy prison terms, including life. He fled to Belarus, where he has now been living for 14 years. President Sadyr Japarov said last week that "individuals who suffered" during the protests had asked Bakiev for help to build the factory, which is expected to employ 200 people. Many in Kyrgyzstan considered Japarov’s announcement as an attempt to pave the way for Bakiev’s return to Kyrgyzstan. Groups uniting relatives of the 2010 victims told reporters on June 25 that they were against Bakiev’s return as a free man.
New Amendments Target Parents Seeking Islamic Education for Children in Uzbekistan (The Diplomat)
The Diplomat [6/26/2024 11:57 AM, Niginakhon Saida, 1156K, Neutral]
On June 25, the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis reviewed a draft law to set fines for involving children in illegal religious education. There were no objections in the first reading of the draft.

If the amendments are passed, Article 47 of the Administrative Code (“Failure to fulfill obligations to raise and educate children”) will be updated to include fines for parents or legal guardians who illegally involve their children in religious education. The fines would range from 3.4 million to 5.1 million Uzbek soms ($270 – $404). For repeated offenses, the fine would increase to $670 or 15 days of jail time.

Last year, The Diplomat reported about the increasing numbers of hujras, clandestine religious classrooms, across the country. Parents, desperate for their children to receive an Islamic education – something they could not obtain under Soviet atheism or during the reign of first President Islam Karimov with tight government control over religious practices – now send their children to underground classrooms. Most teachers running hujras have limited formal religious education themselves and lack official licenses to teach Islam.

Uzbekistan is a Muslim-majority country, with 88-94 percent of its 37 million population following Islam. Despite this, there are only 15 educational institutions dedicated to teaching Islam. Thirteen of these are under the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, comprising three higher education institutions and ten secondary education institutions (two of which are exclusively for girls). This number is strikingly small given the presence of 2,125 mosques across Uzbekistan, where Muslims pray five times daily.

Students can only be admitted to these institutions after graduating from secondary school, typically around 15-16 years old – an age considered too old for easy memorization of the Quran. In the Muslim tradition, the best time to memorize the Quran is childhood. But even at 16, getting into one of the religious education institutions is not for everyone. Because of the limited seats available, admission into these schools is highly competitive.

Studying Islam abroad as an alternative presents additional challenges. For many families, sending their children abroad is prohibitively expensive. Apart from that, many can study abroad only after turning 18. Since 2021, Egypt’s Al-Azhar University has required Uzbek citizens seeking religious education to have a recommendation from the Committee on Religious Affairs. This measure was implemented because many applicants, including Uzbeks, were using Al-Azhar as a pretext to obtain visas to Egypt and then study at other Islamic centers. An inquiry by the Uzbek Embassy in 2021 revealed that only 40 Uzbek citizens were studying at Al-Azhar, while over a thousand others were attending other study centers. There is a similar arrangement established between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, and other countries too. Recommendations, however, are given only to citizens 18 or older, since secondary education is mandatory in Uzbekistan.

The call by the public and by the ulema (religious scholars) to lift the ban on private religious education has been constantly rebuffed. In 2021, the Committee on Religious Affairs issued three detailed letters stating that there is no urgent need for private religious education. Explaining that many parents want their children to be familiar with the everyday affairs of Islam, rather than seeking professional religious education in theology or academic education about religion in secular educational institutions, the committee argued that sufficient opportunities already exist – including 17 “Quran and Tajweed” courses to teach reading the Quran in three months, call centers, and different e-platforms to address any inquiries people might have about the Islamic lifestyle.

The committee also argued that adding Islamic classes within the mandatory state secondary education system obliges them to create the same opportunities for representatives of all faiths registered in Uzbekistan and this in turn might “cause various misunderstandings, disagreements, sedition and disagreements” in the Muslim majority country.

Addressing the same demands from the public, earlier Alisher Sa’dullayev, chairperson of the Youth Union of Uzbekistan, highlighted the lack of qualified professionals who could teach Islam properly. “There is a question of whether we have personnel who can teach this subject in a professional manner to the extent that it can be used for the purposes we want. We fail in the issue of whether the staff knows the subject in depth, whether they understand all the evidence and rules,” he said.

There is already an administrative punishment for those who provide a religious education without a permit from the Committee on Religious Affairs – a fine worth a couple of hundred dollars or up to 15 days of jail time. The draft law, if enacted, will extend punishment to parents who seek Islamic education for their children outside the limited opportunities legally available.
In Central Asia, Torture Persists, as Does Impunity (The Diplomat)
The Diplomat [6/26/2024 10:39 AM, Alva Omarova, 1156K, Negative]
June 26 is the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. In all the Central Asian countries, serious problems with torture and ill-treatment continue. It is shocking how often impunity persists for perpetrators of torture, and in many harrowing cases of abuse the authorities either hand down punishments to perpetrators that do not correspond with the severity of the crimes committed or simply do not punish them at all.

In support of victims of torture in Central Asia, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) today published a statement together with our partners in the Coalitions against Torture in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA, Uzbekistan, based in exile in France), the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR, Turkmenistan, based in exile in Austria) and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR).

In Kazakhstan, hundreds of cases of torture were reported during the Bloody January events of 2022 (known locally as Qandy Qantar). Although some perpetrators have been prosecuted and convicted, the number of such cases is low compared to the scale of the documented abuses. There has been a high rate of impunity for perpetrators of torture; in many cases, investigations were closed as a result of the alleged lack of elements of a crime.

A general problem in Kazakhstan is that convicted perpetrators of torture and ill-treatment often have had their prison sentences commuted to fines. Although in 2023, legal changes were finally adopted putting a stop to this practice, this new law has yet to be systematically implemented. For example, five police officers accused of performing particularly cruel acts of torture during the Bloody January events, such as burning victims with hot irons, putting needles under fingernails, brutal beatings and pulling out teeth with pliers, were sentenced to between three and four years of imprisonment in February 2023. However, as our partner the NGO, Coalition Against Torture in Kazakhstan, learned, four of them have since had their sentences commuted to fines. This completely undermines not only the new law, but also the government’s stated commitment to zero tolerance of torture.

In Kyrgyzstan, impunity for torture and ill-treatment also remains a significant problem. There are particular concerns about the prolonged detention of people arrested for politically motivated reasons in conditions that can be considered to constitute degrading and inhuman treatment.

For instance, more than 20 bloggers, activists, politicians, and journalists arrested in autumn 2022 after peacefully voicing their criticism of the Kyrgyz authorities’ border deal with Uzbekistan regarding control over the Kempir-Abad reservoir were held for many months in pre-trial detention, in conditions that were reported to be unsanitary and degrading, with inadequate access to medical treatment, and denials of family visits. While some of them were eventually moved to house arrest before the start of the trial, others remained in pre-trial detention for more than 19 months. In a ruling welcomed by human rights groups, most of the defendants in this case were recently acquitted and those still in detention were released. However, those responsible for violating the activists’ rights should also be held accountable.

Tajikistan’s prisons are known to be dangerous, overcrowded, and unsanitary, and there are concerns that people who have been arrested on politically motivated grounds are at risk of torture and ill-treatment. This includes Manuchehr Kholiqnazarov, director of the Lawyers Association of Pamir in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), who has been imprisoned since 2022 on trumped up charges related to his human rights work. Kholiqnazarov is currently serving a 16-year-sentence in a maximum security prison colony. He has not been given proper medical care despite the fact that his health has significantly deteriorated.

Additionally, a recent “trend” of extraditions of Tajikistani government critics and opposition members from Europe and Turkey to Tajikistan has emerged, including from EU member states like Germany. As there is a high risk of torture and ill-treatment upon return, these extraditions violate returning states’ obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and other international commitments.

In Turkmenistan, the prison system (much like the country) remains extremely closed and non-transparent, with no independent national mechanisms for monitoring prison conditions and lack of access for international monitors. While recent open source research by Crude Accountability indicates that the prison system is expanding, we have almost no way of tracking what happens in the correctional facilities throughout the country, except for rare testimonials from individuals who have been released. Information from them indicates that prison conditions are degrading and inhuman, and detainees are kept in unsanitary conditions with no proper access to medical treatment and adequate food.

In addition, detainees are often kept in isolation for long periods of time. As documented by the “Prove They Are Alive” campaign, the practice of enforced disappearances continues, meaning that the relatives of dozens of people imprisoned following unfair and politically motivated trials have had no information about the fate and well-being of their loved ones for many years.

In Uzbekistan, torture remains common. Unfortunately, pressure from the authorities means that human rights activists and other independent bodies are unable to systematically and effectively monitor the prison system and conditions for detainees. But reports of torture in Uzbekistan’s prisons are the stuff of nightmares. People are often tortured in police stations after they have been arrested.

In May this year, Denis Nikolaev, a 30-year-old man, was arrested by police outside a nightclub because of an alleged administrative offence. He was then taken to Chilanzar District Police Station in Tashkent, where policemen beat him with a mop while he was handcuffed. One blow hit him directly in the eye, but despite visible injuries, the judge at his remand hearing did not do anything about it. Nikolaev was sentenced to ten days of administrative detention, and only after being released was he able to have an examination by an eye specialist. The doctor told him that only a costly operation could save his eyesight – money that Nikolaev did not have. Thus, he lost the sight in that eye. Nikolaev and his family are currently trying to get a criminal case opened against the perpetrators.

International law, the supremacy of which is enshrined in many country’s constitutions, clearly stipulates that no one should be subjected to torture at any time and in any circumstances. The governments of Central Asia must continue to strive to take effective measures to stamp out this illegal and inhuman practice.
Indo-Pacific
India-Pakistan Water Cooperation Returns to Kashmir (The Diplomat)
The Diplomat [6/26/2024 8:40 AM, Sehr Rushmeen, 1156K, Neutral]
In a significant move for both regional cooperation and climate resilience, a 40-member team comprising experts from India, Pakistan, and the World Bank arrived in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir this week to inspect two hydroelectric projects. This visit, which took place under the framework of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), holds immense importance not only for bilateral relations but also in the context of climate change and the imminent monsoon season in South Asia.

The delegation, which arrived in Jammu on Sunday and subsequently flew to Kishtwar in helicopters, marks the first visit by a Pakistani team to Jammu and Kashmir in over five years. Led by Syed Ali Murtaza, the secretary of water resources in Pakistan, and accompanied by Pakistan’s IWT Commissioner Syed Mohammed Mehar Ali Shah, the nine-member Pakistani team was joined by a 12-member Indian delegation.

The primary objective of this visit was to examine the power projects on the Chenab River, which fall under the IWT, a pact that has been pivotal in managing the shared water resources between India and Pakistan since its inception in 1960.

The significance of this visit is underscored by the fact that the last inspection by a Pakistani team occurred in January 2019. The ties between the two countries had soured following India’s abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, making this visit a crucial step in reviving dialogue and cooperation under the treaty’s dispute settlement mechanism.

The Indus Water Treaty, signed after nine years of negotiations with the World Bank as a signatory, outlines a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between India and Pakistan regarding the use of cross-border rivers. The treaty allocates the three western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – to Pakistan, and the eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej – to India. While the Indus originates in Ladakh and flows into Pakistan, the Jhelum flows from Kashmir, and the Chenab originates in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, passing through Jammu before entering Pakistan.

The current inspection focuses on the 85 MW Ratle hydroelectric power project at Drabshalla and the 1000 MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric project on the Marusudar River, a tributary of the Chenab. These projects have been subjects of contention, with Pakistan raising objections to their design features.

Initially, Pakistan sought a settlement through a “Neutral Expert” in 2016 but later opted for adjudication via a Court of Arbitration. India’s insistence on resolving the issue through Neutral Expert proceedings led to prolonged negotiations, culminating in the World Bank appointing both a Neutral Expert and the chair of the Court of Arbitration in October 2022.

The inspection of these hydroelectric projects is particularly significant in the context of ongoing climate changes and the upcoming monsoon season in South Asia. Climate change poses severe threats to the region, including altered precipitation patterns, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and glacier melt. These changes have profound implications for water resources management, making the sustainable and equitable utilization of shared rivers even more critical.

Hydropower projects, such as those on the Chenab River, offer a dual benefit in this scenario. They provide a renewable source of energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, these projects can play a vital role in managing water flow, reducing the risk of floods during the monsoon season, and ensuring a steady water supply during dry periods.

However, the construction and operation of such projects must be carefully managed to avoid adverse environmental impacts. The joint inspection by teams from India and Pakistan, as well as World Bank experts, aims to address these concerns, ensuring that the projects adhere to international standards and do not disrupt the ecological balance of the region.

The visit also highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. South Asia, home to over a billion people, is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts. Effective management of shared water resources through frameworks like the IWT is crucial for building resilience against these impacts.

The coordination efforts by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, which appointed 25 liaison officers each in Jammu and Srinagar to facilitate the visit of neutral experts and delegations from both countries, demonstrate the commitment to ensuring a smooth and productive inspection process. This level of cooperation is essential for fostering trust and collaboration between India and Pakistan, which can lead to more comprehensive strategies for managing the impacts of climate change.

As the team continues its inspection of the hydroelectric projects, the broader implications of their findings will be closely watched. The outcome of this visit could set a precedent for future cooperation under the IWT, encouraging both countries to prioritize sustainable water management and climate resilience.

The World Bank’s involvement as a neutral arbitrator further underscores the international community’s interest in ensuring that India and Pakistan manage their shared water resources effectively. The ruling by the Court of Arbitration in July 2023, which declared its competence to consider and determine the disputes raised by Pakistan, adds a layer of legal oversight that can help in resolving such issues amicably.

The examination of hydroelectric projects under the Indus Water Treaty by the India-Pakistan teams and World Bank experts is a significant step toward regional cooperation and climate resilience. As South Asia braces for the impacts of climate change and the upcoming monsoon season, the sustainable and equitable management of shared water resources becomes increasingly critical. This visit not only aims to resolve existing disputes but also sets the stage for future collaboration, ensuring that both India and Pakistan can harness their shared rivers for mutual benefit while safeguarding the environment.
Twitter
Afghanistan
Suhail Shaheen
@suhailshaheen1
[6/26/2024 4:14 AM, 731.8K followers, 84 retweets, 802 likes]
1/1 We have 4 million drug addicts in the country which is the result of the past 20 years. The government is handling that by treating them. Cricket, football etc is extremely important for us to keep our youth engaged in constructive activities.

Suhail Shaheen
@suhailshaheen1
[6/26/2024 4:14 AM, 731.8K followers, 23 retweets, 194 likes]
2/2 Our boys first learnt cricket in Pakistan, the land of our hijra and then reached this stage where we are now. This journey of advancement will continue inshaAllah.

Lina Rozbih
@LinaRozbih
[6/26/2024 5:13 PM, 412.8K followers, 12 retweets, 25 likes]
Taliban hailed the agreement with the US as their "Jihad winning over infidels"...Taliban hailed the Doha invitation as "awakening of the world to realize the importance of Emirate". The Taliban are emboldened by "all carrots & no stick" approach of the world toward their actions

Heather Barr
@heatherbarr1
[6/27/2024 2:31 AM, 62.8K followers, 24 retweets, 28 likes]
Global leaders issued urgent letter to @UN expressing outrage Afghan women are excluded from Doha 3 meeting. Signatories include: President of the Republic of Kosovo & Former Presidents & Prime Ministers of Australia, Finland, Lithuania, New Zealand https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/global-leaders-urge-un-to-include-afghan-women-in-upcoming-doha-meeting-with-afghan-officials-taliban/

Jahanzeb Wesa
@JahanzebWesa
[6/27/2024 3:10 AM, 2.5K followers] Global
Leaders Urge UN to Include Afghan Women in Upcoming Doha Meeting with Afghan Officials, Taliban. The UN and the international community to demonstrate unwavering commitment to Afghan women and girls by insisting that Afghan women are at the table.”

Jahanzeb Wesa
@JahanzebWesa
[6/27/2024 4:55 PM, 2.5K followers, 1 retweet, 1 like]
Recalling, on Int. Day in Support of Victims of Torture, countless innocent Afghans who’ve suffered brutality in nearly 50 yrs of conflict, including under the current regime. The cycle of conflict will not end unless human rights are included in forums on Afghanistan’s future.
Pakistan
Government of Pakistan
@GovtofPakistan
[6/26/2024 8:34 AM, 3.1M followers, 13 retweets, 47 likes]
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing budget session of the National Assembly, today in Islamabad.

Imran Khan
@ImranKhanPTI
[6/26/2024 3:53 AM, 20.7M followers, 12K retweets, 22K likes]
Message by Imran Khan, Founding Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, from Adiala Jail (June 25, 2024) Eliminating terrorism and establishing law and order in Pakistan has always been a core policy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). During PTI’s tenure, there was a significant reduction in terrorism. We strengthened the police and CTD institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which resulted in a notable decline in terrorism in KP and subsequently across the country. To establish peace in the region, we engaged in dialogue even with the Pakistan-opposed Ashraf Ghani government in Afghanistan, invited them to Pakistan, and personally visited Afghanistan to further peace efforts. After the U.S. withdrawal, there was a severe threat of civil war in Afghanistan, which was handled tactfully. The then-DG ISI, General Faiz Hameed, played a crucial role in establishing relations with the new Afghan government. Considering the regional circumstances, my government decided not to replace the DG ISI and gave these instructions to General Bajwa, who assured the Prime Minister that the DG ISI would not be changed. Despite this, he was replaced, the reasons of which emerged later: a deal between General Bajwa and Nawaz Sharif concerning the extension of General Bajwa’s tenure. Subsequent events proved that General Bajwa caused significant damage to the country for his personal gain. ISI, which was supposed to protect the country from terrorism, was diverted from counter-terrorism to crushing PTI.

Similarly, the Foreign Minister of the PDM government toured the entire world but did not visit Afghanistan because they had no concern for Pakistan’s peace, the lives and property of our people, or our security institutions. Even today, they lack a clear strategy to combat terrorism, resulting in the nation suffering once again.

During PTI’s tenure, when we cleansed state institutions of politics and prioritized the protection of national interests, both domestic and international critics coined the term ‘hybrid system’ and targeted us. Today, except for a very small group of compromised individuals who prioritise their self interests, even our past critics are compelled to acknowledge the prevalence of the worst form of dictatorship in the country.

Pakistan’s future depends on respecting the people’s mandate, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring political stability. Addressing terrorism through naked fascism or military invasions against our own people is neither possible nor will it bring stability to Pakistan. Decisions made against the will of the nation and attempts to impose them on the people through power and force have always produced devastating outcomes.

Anas Mallick
@AnasMallick
[6/26/2024 1:45 PM, 73.5K followers, 3 retweets, 30 likes]
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is all set to undertake 2 back to back visits to Central Asian Countries, PM @CMShehbaz will be in Tajikistan in the first week of July right after which he will travel to Kazakhstan to attend the SCO Summit on 3rd and 4th July.

Anas Mallick
@AnasMallick
[6/26/2024 1:57 PM, 73.5K followers, 65 retweets, 321 likes]
After the resolution today in the US House of Representatives, Heads will roll in Pakistan’s diplomacy circuit -- Casualty list perhaps would be in its finalisation phase.

Madiha Afzal
@MadihaAfzal
[6/26/2024 12:56 PM, 42.8K followers, 8 retweets, 50 likes]
US House Res 901 passed yesterday by an overwhelming majority: "condemns attempts to suppress the people of Pakistan’s participation in their democracy, including through harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention, or any violation of their human, civil, or political rights"

Madiha Afzal
@MadihaAfzal
[6/26/2024 1:01 PM, 42.8K followers, 1 retweet, 6 likes]
and "condemns any effort to subvert the political, electoral, or judicial processes of Pakistan." It’s a call for the President and State Dept to do more when it comes to Pakistan’s democracy.

Hamid Mir
@HamidMirPAK
[6/27/2024 12:16 AM, 8.5M followers, 237 retweets, 630 likes]
Mother of slain journalist Nasrullah Gadani blaming a PPP parliamentarian and his sons for the murder of her son. We hope that leadership of PPP will stand with the family of slain journalist. #JusticeForNasrullahGadani https://thenews.com.pk/print/1204025-journalist-murder-witnesses-name-ppp-mna-two-sons-before-court
India
Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
[6/27/2024 1:28 AM, 99.3M followers, 2.3K retweets, 9.5K likes]
Honourable Rashtrapati Ji is addressing Parliament. Do watch. https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1kvJpvyrMEQKE

Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
[6/26/2024 9:52 AM, 99.3M followers, 5.4K retweets, 40K likes]
Met MP colleagues from @JaiTDP. Our Parties are working closely at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of my friend @ncbn Garu. We will do everything possible for the progress of India and the development of AP.

Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
[6/26/2024 4:38 AM, 99.3M followers, 12K retweets, 63K likes]
I am glad that the Honourable Speaker strongly condemned the Emergency, highlighted the excesses committed during that time and also mentioned the manner in which democracy was strangled. It was also a wonderful gesture to stand in silence in honour of all those who suffered during those days. The Emergency was imposed 50 years ago but it is important for today’s youth to know about it because it remains a fitting example of what happens when the Constitution is trampled over, public opinion is stifled and institutions are destroyed. The happenings during the Emergency exemplified what a dictatorship looks like.

Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
[6/26/2024 4:33 AM, 99.3M followers, 5.9K retweets, 42K likes]
I would like to congratulate Shri Om Birla Ji on being elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for the second time. The House will benefit greatly from his insights and experience. My best wishes to him for the tenure ahead. @ombirlakota

Dr. S. Jaishankar
@DrSJaishankar
[6/26/2024 5:13 AM, 3.2M followers, 282 retweets, 2.7K likes]
Congratulate Shri @ombirlakota ji on once again being elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. His experience and equanimity continues to guide the House and ensures that our parliamentary democracy delivers. Best wishes for a successful tenure.
NSB
Awami League
@albd1971
[6/27/2024 12:51 AM, 639K followers, 8 retweets, 19 likes]
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the #AwamiLeague government has made #Bangladesh’s education system multi-dimensional and creative prioritising science and technology to maintain global standard. "No country can adopt with the ever-changing world without knowledge of science, research and technology. So, we have taken measures aimed at competing with the world," she said. https://albd.org/articles/news/41459/Education-system-must-ensure-learning-with-joy:-PM-Sheikh-Hasina #EducationForAll

Awami League
@albd1971
[6/27/2024 12:02 AM, 639K followers, 7 retweets, 23 likes]
HPM #SheikhHasina attends the opening ceremony of the ‘National Primary Education Week 2024’ and the award giving ceremony of the ‘Primary Education Award 2023’. #AwamiLeague #Bangladesh https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1BdGYrqjrqEJX

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives
@MoFAmv
[6/26/2024 11:21 PM, 54.2K followers, 6 retweets, 11 likes]
Minister @MoosaZameer met with Congressman @RepBera, today. The meeting focused on exchanging views towards strengthening the Maldives – US bilateral relations in a mutually beneficial manner.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives
@MoFAmv
[6/26/2024 5:54 AM, 54.2K followers, 12 retweets, 21 likes]
Under the "Stakeholders Engagement Programme" of #FOSIM, today’s session covered "Protocol and Etiquette, and other Diplomatic Practices". Today’s session was conducted by Ambassador Shabeena for the first batch of staff members of Ministry of Finance.

Moosa Zameer
@MoosaZameer
[6/27/2024 12:05 AM, 13.5K followers, 16 retweets, 37 likes]
It was a pleasure to meet Congressman @RepMcCaul, today. We exchanged insights on shared interests and explored potential avenues to strengthen cooperation between the #Maldives and the #US.

Moosa Zameer
@MoosaZameer
[6/27/2024 9:48 AM, 13.5K followers, 29 retweets, 58 likes]
I met with Congresswoman @RepYoungKim, today. I highlighted the flourishing #Maldives–#US relationship and encouraged Congressional visits to the Maldives.

Moosa Zameer
@MoosaZameer
[6/26/2024 2:10 PM, 13.5K followers, 19 retweets, 36 likes]
Pleased to participate in an interesting interactive discussion at @CFR_org, today. I provided a brief on the key priorities of President Dr @MMuizzu’s Government and highlighted Maldives’ efforts to address the adverse impacts of climate change.

Moosa Zameer
@MoosaZameer
[6/26/2024 10:29 AM, 13.5K followers, 27 retweets, 52 likes]
I had the pleasure of engaging with the Maldivian community in Washington D.C. I reassured of @MoFAmv’s ongoing efforts to continue to enhance its services to Maldivian communities overseas. @MDVinUSA

MOFA of Nepal
@MofaNepal
[6/26/2024 2:57 AM, 258.2K followers, 3 retweets, 37 likes]
H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China departed from Kathmandu concluding his three-day official visit to Nepal successfully.

MOFA of Nepal
@MofaNepal
[6/26/2024 2:57 AM, 258.2K followers, 3 likes]
Mr. Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Joint Secretary and Head of the North East Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bade farewell to H.E. Mr. Weidong at the VIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

MOFA of Nepal
@MofaNepal
[6/26/2024 2:55 AM, 258.2K followers, 9 retweets, 34 likes]
H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China paid a courtesy call on DPM & Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Mr. Narayan Kaji Shrestha today. Various matters of bilateral relations and cooperation were discussed during the occasion.

M U M Ali Sabry
@alisabrypc
[6/26/2024 10:51 AM, 5.8K followers, 39 retweets, 147 likes]
MoU on debt restructuring between Official Creditors Committee and the Government of Sri Lanka https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/37909/MoU_on_debt_restructuring_between_Official_Creditors_Committee_and_the_Government_of_Sri_Lanka Sri Lanka is fortunate to have caring and considerate neighbors and friends! Thank you

M U M Ali Sabry
@alisabrypc
[6/26/2024 7:38 AM, 5.8K followers, 5 retweets, 12 likes]
IOM chief of Mission to Sri Lanka & Maldives Sarat Dash, paid a farewell call on me at @MFA_SriLanka today. I appreciated his excellent service to Sri Lanka & we agreed to foster closer cooperation to address migration issues including human trafficking and safe return of illegal migrants @IOMSriLanka @MFA_SriLanka

Karu Jayasuriya
@KaruOnline
[6/26/2024 6:46 AM, 53.4K followers, 5 retweets, 33 likes]
We welcome the final agreement on the debt restructuring between Sri Lanka and the Official Creditor Committee. This crucial step will enhance economic stability and foster growth, bringing new opportunities for our nation. We hope the details will be made public soon.

Harsha de Silva
@HarshadeSilvaMP
[6/26/2024 1:08 PM, 356.6K followers, 3 retweets, 39 likes]
During the toughest time for #SriLanka @WorldBankNepal and @Nisoxis408Sjdj did all they could to steer us out of the desperate situation. Today we bid farewell to them after 4 years as country director and manager. Thank you Faris. Thank you Chiyo. @WorldBankSAsia @WorldBank

Harsha de Silva
@HarshadeSilvaMP
[6/26/2024 12:01 PM, 356.6K followers, 16 retweets, 107 likes]
Thank you Japan, China, India. @sjbsrilanka appreciates your support to get #SriLanka out of t hole they put us in. In our discussions you told us it’s not politics but people. As ‘people’s opposition’ we appreciate your kind gestures. Look forward to strengthening relationships.

Harsha de Silva
@HarshadeSilvaMP
[6/26/2024 5:07 AM, 356.6K followers, 9 retweets, 80 likes]
Pleased #SriLanka has concluded bilateral debt restructure with OCC. @sjbsrilanka always sought the cooperation of creditor nations whenever we met them. We hope the deal is a good… await details. However we are not in agreement w the ‘April ISB proposal’. Need bigger haircut.

Harsha de Silva
@HarshadeSilvaMP
[6/26/2024 5:54 AM, 356.6K followers, 1 retweet, 15 likes]
Uncultured chap by the name of SSD Gunesekera removed due to use of profanity on my platform. First learn to communicate without using filth. Then you can get back on my X.
Central Asia
UNODC Central Asia
@UNODC_ROCA
[6/26/2024 8:50 AM, 2.4K followers, 5 retweets, 9 likes]
UNODC joined the Drug Burning Ceremony annually organized by the Government of Uzbekistan on the occasion of #WorldDrugDay. @MittalAshita

Bakhtiyor Saidov
@FM_Saidov
[6/26/2024 4:58 PM, 3.8K followers, 3 retweets, 4 likes]
Together with the CEO @omanflourmills Mr. Haitham Al Fannah we looked at the opening avenues for the closer business-to-business ties. Bringing upscale food processing technologies and modernizing #Uzbekistan’s agriculture are among top priorities in laying our path towards sustainable economic growth.

{End of Report}
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