Dr. Abraham Mathai, a former Vice-Chairman of Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, has written to the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to intervene and secure the release of jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Ms. Narges Mohammadi, on humanitarian grounds. Mohammadi, who has been imprisoned by Iran for 10 years, is in a precarious state of health and urgently needs comprehensive medical treatment. Ahead of Iran's review under the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review, Mathai is urging UNHRC to compel the Iranian authorities to release Mohammadi so she can receive proper care for her serious medical conditions.
Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi Languishes in Prison, Faces Grave Health Risks
Dr. Abraham Mathai, a former Vice-Chairman of Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, has penned an urgent letter to the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), appealing for intervention to secure the release of Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Ms. Narges Mohammadi, on humanitarian grounds.
Background:
Narges Mohammadi, a prominent human rights defender, has been imprisoned in Iran since 2015. She has been subjected to severe torture and ill-treatment during her time behind bars, resulting in serious health issues. In October 2022, she was sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison on charges of "propaganda against the state."
Health Concerns:
Mohammadi is currently in a precarious state of health, suffering from seizures, heart problems, and severe migraines. She desperately requires comprehensive medical treatment that is unavailable in the prison environment. Her condition has deteriorated in recent months, and her family fears for her life.
International Appeal:
Dr. Mathai's letter to the UNHRC highlights the urgency of Mohammadi's situation and urges the Council to intervene to secure her release. He stresses that Iran is violating its obligations under international law by denying Mohammadi adequate medical care and that her continued imprisonment is a violation of human rights.
Ahead of Iran's UNHRC Review:
Mathai's appeal comes ahead of Iran's review under the UNHRC's Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a mechanism that assesses countries' human rights records. He urges the UNHRC to compel Iran to release Mohammadi so that she can receive the medical attention she urgently requires.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why is Narges Mohammadi in prison? She is imprisoned on charges of "propaganda against the state" for advocating for human rights and civil liberties.
2. What is the current state of her health? She is suffering from severe seizures, heart problems, and migraines. Her condition has deteriorated significantly in recent months.
3. What is the role of the UNHRC in this case? The UNHRC is being urged to intervene and secure Mohammadi's release on humanitarian grounds.
4. What is the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)? It is a UNHRC mechanism that reviews countries' human rights records.
5. What action is Dr. Abraham Mathai taking? He has written a letter to the President of the UNHRC, appealing for intervention to secure Mohammadi's release.
China has rebuked India's support for the Dalai Lama's choice to be the sole selector of his successor, stating that India should tread carefully on Tibet-related issues to avoid damaging relations with Beijing. This comes after Indian Union Minister Kiren Rijiju made comments supporting the Dalai Lama's decision to choose his own successor, saying it is a matter of religious belief and not politics. China insists on their 'Golden Urn' procedure for selecting the Dalai Lama's successor and has warned India to stay clear of any commitments to the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign tour to Trinidad & Tobago has sparked interest in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. During his visit, he praised the Indian community's contributions to the Caribbean country and made strategic remarks pointing towards the state's electorate. The cultural and spiritual ties between India and Trinidad & Tobago continue to deepen, with PM Modi presenting symbolic gifts to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other Indian-origin leaders.
The Madras High Court has rejected an appeal filed by a group of medical aspirants in Tamil Nadu, seeking a re-examination of NEET UG 2025. The court noted that allowing the request would have a significant impact on over two million students across the country, who have already taken the exam. The bench, comprising Justice J Nisha Banu and Justice M Jothiraman, upheld an earlier verdict and dismissed the petition, stating that there were no significant issues with the overall conduct of the exam. It was also noted that an expert committee's statistical analysis found no significant difference in the number of questions attempted by students at the concerned centres, confirming that the alleged power outage did not impact their performance.
With origins in India, the ancient practice of yoga has gained global recognition for its holistic benefits on physical, mental, and spiritual health. Designated by the United Nations, International Yoga Day is observed on June 21, and this year's theme is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." As the day approaches, here are some wishes, quotes, and slogans to share with loved ones to celebrate the journey of the self through the practice of yoga. Let yoga lead you to inner peace and a healthier, happier you.
In a disturbing instance of language vigilantism, former MP Rajan Vichare and his supporters beat and coerced a group of non-local traders into apologising for not speaking Marathi. The incident took place in Thane, where Vichare had summoned the traders to his office after a Marathi-speaking youth was allegedly abused and assaulted at the railway station. This raises concerns over the safety of traders and the growing trend of forcing the use of regional languages. Such incidents must be dealt with strictly to prevent further cases of language vigilantism.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a traditional Bhojpuri Chautaal performance upon his arrival in Trinidad and Tobago for his first official visit to the Caribbean nation. During his visit, PM Modi also met with members of the Indian community and praised their contributions to the country's development. This visit marks the first bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago by an Indian Prime Minister in 25 years and highlights the strong cultural and historical ties between the two nations. Stay updated on this historic visit and other breaking news from India and around the world on News24.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago, a country with strong ties to India due to the large Indian-descended population. Modi is welcomed by Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and will have meetings with the country's leaders. He will also receive the nation's highest honor and address parliament. While celebrations are expected, some have raised concerns about Modi's human rights record.
The confirmation of a 19-month-old child as Pakistan's 14th polio case of 2025 highlights the continued struggle to eradicate the disease in the country. The distrust in vaccinations caused by a 2011 CIA operation using a fake vaccination campaign to locate Osama bin Laden has hindered the efforts of health workers. This setback serves as a reminder of the long road ahead in eradicating polio in Pakistan.
Pakistan's efforts to seek membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have hit a snag as Indonesia and Singapore are likely to join India in opposing Islamabad's bid. This move is part of Pakistan's recent strategy to internationalise its issues with India, which New Delhi has consistently opposed. However, China's influence over Cambodia may tip the scales in Pakistan's favor.
A young man from Taiwan, identified as Zhang, had both his feet amputated after spending 10 hours in a bucket of dry ice as part of a fraudulent insurance claim. He and his accomplice, Liao, faked an accident and submitted insurance claims worth over NT$41.26 million. The shocking incident has led to charges of fraud and intentional self-harm, with the mastermind, Liao, being sentenced to six years in prison. The case has sparked outrage on social media over the lengths people will go to for financial gain.