The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) in Sri Lanka has been criticized for violating fundamental rights, targeting civil society protests, and granting authorities arbitrary powers. Opponents, including international organizations and opposition leaders, argue that the bill is undemocratic and authoritarian. The article suggests that the government should repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and impose a moratorium on its use until new counterterrorism legislation that upholds human rights is drafted. The infamous Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Sri Lanka, put into effect in 1979 and widely blamed for widespread torture and arbitrary detentions, will be replaced by the new proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). However, the new bill has several features worse than the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) that it intends to replace. It appears to grant the President, Police, and Military, great authority to detain individuals without evidence, to make vaguely defined forms of speech a criminal offense, and arbitrarily outlaw gatherings and organisations without any judicial review. “The government has decided to present its proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) to parliament for debate on April 25. The decision to delay calling for a vote on it, and not using the government’s majority to bulldoze its decision is to be welcomed, “said Jehan Perera, Executive Director at National Peace Council of Sri Lanka. (Colombo Telegraph). Safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights must always be a priority in any legal reform. According to the constitution, the government shares the people’s power with them for their benefit, but both of these goals are not met by the ATA. While some believe that the decision could be on April 25th, others are of the view that the timing is not in favor right now, considering the country is going through its worst economic crisis, witnessed several activities threatening its national security, and has received international pressure and...

Post-Taliban takeover, many have speculated on China’s stance towards Afghanistan and the Taliban. China remained involved in Afghanistan vis-a-vis trade, investment, and setting up mining and other industries. However, since the Taliban took over, China has not openly declared its Afghan policy. The much-anticipated declaration of the Chinese position on Afghanistan is finally out, urging the de facto authorities for prudent governance, safeguarding human rights, and underpinning the need for bilateral and multilateral cooperation in economy, trade, counter-terrorism, refugee crisis, etc.  On Wednesday, the Chinese embassy in Kabul issued a comprehensive statement depicting how it views and plans to deal with Afghanistan. According to the statement, first and foremost, China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It also respects the Afghan people’s right to make their own decisions and practice religion and customs. China “never meddles in internal affairs of Afghanistan, never seeks its self-interest in Afghanistan, and never pursues so-called sphere of influence,” said the communique. The statement further enlisted ten points: ● Supporting moderate and prudent governance in Afghanistan. ● Supporting peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan. ● Supporting Afghanistan in countering terrorism resolutely and forcefully. ● Calling for greater bilateral and multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation. ● Working together to fight terrorism, separatism, and extremism in Afghanistan. ● Urging the US to live up to its commitments and responsibilities to Afghanistan. ● Opposing external interference and infiltration in Afghanistan. ● Strengthening international and regional coordination on the Afghan issue. ● Facilitating solutions to Afghanistan’s humanitarian and refugee issues. ● Supporting Afghanistan’s fight against narcotics. China hopes that Afghanistan would “build an open and inclusive political set-up, adopt moderate and...

While the US has downplayed Tsai’s visit and dismissed concerns that the meeting will escalate matters with China, it is evident that China feels otherwise. It stands by its One China Policy and considers Taiwan an inalienable part of China’s territory, whereas the US continues to be Taiwan’s most important international backer hence further straining US-China relations. On 5th April 2023, US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met Taiwan President Tsai Ing at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. This highly anticipated event also marks history as it is the first time a Taiwan President visited the US to meet the US House Speaker. The visit provided a platform for both leaders to promote US-Taiwan relations. “The friendship between the people of Taiwan and America is a matter of profound importance to the free world. It is critical to maintain economic freedom, peace and regional stability,” McCarthy said. “We’re stronger when we are together,” Tsai said. “In our efforts to protect our way of life, Taiwan is grateful to have the United States by our side.” McCarthy emphasized the following crucial aspects; to further cement the relationship between the two parties. First and foremost, continue selling Taiwan guns and make sure they do it effectively. The second goal is to improve economic collaboration, particularly in business and technology. And finally, promote shared values on the world stage. Contrary to this, US and China relations have only intensified since last year, with the Taiwan issue being a central conflict of interest.  Before the meeting, the Consulate of China in Los Angeles warned the US that such a meeting would not be “conducive to regional peace, security and stability” and it would “undermine the political foundation” of China-US relations. The meeting also prompted an angry reaction from Beijing, as a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said, “China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it.” China stands by its decision on...

The future of Taiwan’s relationship with China and the United States, will be influenced by a complex interplay of economic, political, cultural, and strategic factors, as well as evolving attitudes and priorities within Taiwan. Taiwan faces limited options and high risks, regardless of the path it takes Taiwan is at a crossroads in its relationship with China and the United States. The country’s future as an independent democratic nation hinges on whether it chooses to strengthen its ties with the US or integrate economically with China.  Recent tension between China and Taiwan has increased the possibility of Chinese aggression, which has led to a renewed interest in the concept of One Zhonghua, a confederation of independent Chinese states. Former Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu has proposed the creation of a Chinese-Taiwanese commonwealth that would be economically integrated but politically separate, an idea that has been discussed for many years but has gained renewed attention due to the conflict in Ukraine. This proposal speaks to the unresolved question of what the relationship between China and Taiwan should be. There is a divided opinion in the country on how to deal with a potential threat of Chinese invasion. The level of devastation such an invasion could bring to the country has caused serious concerns since Taiwan is an island that would run out of natural gas in just eight days if blockaded. Additionally, the Chinese military is nearly 12 times larger than Taiwan. Taiwan’s prosperity is partially due to its role as a gateway to China, the world’s largest market. With rivalries between the United States and China escalating, Taiwanese citizens are grappling with deciding whether to prepare for a potential conflict like Ukraine or negotiate a deal to avoid it. Each option has its own consequences. Most Taiwanese people desire to maintain the current status quo of undeclared, de facto independence. Nonetheless, approximately 40% of the recent...

Affected most due to climate change, women’s rights and well-being are overlooked in climate policy-making on national and international levels. Already subject to financial, social, and cultural barriers, climate change has added to the miseries of women around the world. Climate policies should be at the heart of gender equality goals and vice versa. Pakistan is ranked first in Asia according to a recent assessment of 87 low- and middle-income countries on the CGIAR researchers’ hotspot index for gender inequality, agriculture, and climate change. These hotspots are defined as areas where climate hazards, women’s exposure to climate hazards because of their involvement in agriculture, and women’s vulnerability due to prevailing gender inequalities intersect. Women constitute 49% of the country’s population but do not have equal access to resources or opportunities. “This inequality contributes to their vulnerability,” says Aisha Khan, head of the Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization and Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change. Across the globe, women are reported to have been major and more destitute victims of climatic variations and disasters. The World Bank says that children’s education, particularly girls, is at risk in the aftermath of the disaster. “When children are lost and found in camps, they marry them off – that is one less mouth to feed”, says Humayun, who works at Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).  On top of all this, Humayun points out, “in chaotic situations, gender-based violence increases”. Last June, a report submitted at the Bonn Climate Change Conference underpinned some compelling findings vis-à-vis the magnitude of the crisis and what it entails for women around the globe. For instance, due to harsh weather events, many males are moving from rural to urban regions in several African countries in search of employment, putting women in control of the home and the land even though they may not have the...

The Afghan Taliban’s hardline mentality has pushed Afghanistan further into isolation from the global community. Afghanistan has to change its current trend of extreme mentality and confrontational mindset towards peaceful coexistence and partnership with the international community. It is deeply saddening that we have been killing, negating, and expelling the opponents declaring them communist terrorists, secularist fundamentalists, or agents of the enemy for the last nearly five decades. A huge scale of damage has been inflicted by such a devil perception of our social dignity and national prosperity and has severely defamed the Afghan status abroad. Not based on our imaginary approach but if we scientifically could assess how far the world has gone towards the goal of progress، conquering the universe and why have we been starving in a dry and burning desert, moving towards a dark future helplessly and hopelessly? Would it be right to justify our devastating situations by declaring ourselves as the only good Muslim on the earth while accusing other Islamic states as puppets of the west? Would our leaders be able to get a certificate of acquittal in connection to our current critical situation? Due to various reasons, including foreign invasions, civil wars, and significantly the existence of the extreme mentality in our society, we have unluckily lost the capability to adapt ourselves to the rapid development of the twenty-first century. Being part of the international community while lacking development and remaining a backward society will negate our claims for being a proud and prosperous member of the world community and having the ability to face the difficult challenges of the modern era. Contrary to the common perception, Islam within its characteristics is not opposed to modernization,  scientific education, development, and the creation of a developed international society based on commonality. It additionally urges Muslims to gain access to these...

The chart shows that despite a global and national economic slowdown, the defense budgets of many countries have continued to increase this year. China announced a yearly defense budget of RMB 1.55 trillion ($224.8 billion), a 7.2% increase slightly higher than last year’s 7.1%. The United States unveiled a defense budget of $857.9 billion for 2023 from the previous year of $728 billion, an increase of 13.9%. Japan has raised its military expenditure by 26.3% yen to a record high of 6.3 trillion yen ($49.84 billion) Furthermore, the European Union member states have joined the arms race by raising their defense budgets, with the US urging NATO countries with relatively small military budgets to increase their defense budget. For instance, the French government has approved a military budget of more than €43.9 billion ($42.8 billion). Russia has declared defense spending for 2023 at approximately RUB 5 trillion ($84 billion). India proposed 5.94 trillion rupees ($72.6 billion) for the 2023-24 financial year, 13% up from the previous period’s initial estimates. The UK plans to increase its defense budget by £5 billion ($6 billion) over the next two years. Pakistan’s defense budget was initially increased by 1.53 trillion rupees ($7.5 billion). However, last month (February), Pakistan decided to cut the defense budget by 35% in another bid to tweak financial policies to get the much-needed IMF deal. China had to enhance its defense spending for 2023 to better respond to shifting global and regional conditions and potential emergencies. According to experts, the single-digit increase in the defense budget is plausible due to the country’s military modernization roadmap, the increasing global security threats, and further improved COVID-19 policies that promote economic growth and diplomatic engagements. Contrary to what foreign media is projecting, China has no intention of joining the arms race even though it has the potential to increase its defense budget further....