COVID-19 A GREATER IMPACT ON WOMEN
Introduction: Inequality exposed The pandemic is exposing and exploiting inequalities of all kinds, including gender inequality. The Lockdowns increase the risk of violence towards women trapped with abusive partners. Recent weeks have seen an alarming global surge in domestic violence while support services for women at risk face cuts and closures. The threat to women’s […]
AFGHAN PEACE AND INDIA’S ELBOW ROOM
Why in news? Earlier in April, the United Nations Secretariat held a meeting of what it calls the “6+2+1” group on regional efforts to support peace in Afghanistan. This “6+2+1” group includes six neighbouring countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; global players the United States and Russia, and Afghanistan itself. India was conspicuous […]
PRIVACY CONCERNS DURING A PANDEMIC
Introduction quote The greatest danger to liberty lies in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but lacking in due deference for the rule of law. – Statement of the Supreme Court in a previous judgement. Extent of Powers to stop a Pandemic On one side of the argument, a pandemic is an existential threat […]
VIRTUAL, YET OPEN: IMPROVING JUDICIAL PROCESSES
Why in news? Amidst the national lockdown, the Supreme Court and several other courts have been holding virtual proceedings. A question of concern to the Bar is whether virtual courts have become the “new normal” and whether it means a move away from the idea of open courts towards technology-based administration of justice without the […]
THE SCRIPT OF DISRUPTION AND A NEW ORDER
Introduction: The Disruption The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, involving as it does far too many variables. Pandemics have often changed the world and reshaped human society. Empires have collapsed. There is already concern that a diminution in human values could occur, and with this, the concept of an international community might well cease to exist. […]
PAKISTAN REMOVES THOUSANDS OF NAMES FROM TERRORIST WATCH LIST
Why in news? Pakistan is reported to have removed around 1,800 terrorists from its watch list, including that of the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, ahead of a new round of assessments by the global anti-money-laundering watchdog FATF. The so-called proscribed persons list, which is maintained by Pakistan’s National Counter […]
BEIJING NAMES ISLANDS IN DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA
Why in news? China on Tuesday (Apr 21) defended its naming of 80 islands and other geographical features in the South China Sea in a move likely to anger neighbours as the country asserts its territorial claims. Details A joint announcement of the names on Sunday from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry […]
SAARC COUNTRIES UNITE TO COMBAT COVID-19
Why in news? The unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has united the SAARC countries as they adopted international travel bans, enforced strict lockdowns, announced special economic packages, set up a joint fund and banned all religious gatherings to battle the pandemic, earning them a praise from the World Bank for their quick response. Throughout South Asia, […]
INDIAN ENVOY CONDEMNS HATE-SPEECH
Why in news? Cautioning Indians in the United Arab Emirates against a spate of religiously derogatory posts, India’s Ambassador to the UAE said any discrimination would not be tolerated. Details India and UAE share the value of non-discrimination on any grounds. Discrimination is against our moral fabric and the Rule of law. Indian nationals in […]
ADDITIONAL TRADE BARRIERS VIOLATE WTO’S PRINCIPLE
Why in news? India’s recently adopted policy to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic companies goes against the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India said on 20th April 2020. This is the first response from the Chinese side after the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in an April […]