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ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Indian Punjab have taken notice of a viral video allegedly showing the humiliation and sexual exploitation of a 23-year-old Dalit man with an intellectual disability in Jalandhar district, Times of India reported. Taking suo motu notice on Monday, the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission&nbsp;sought a detailed report from the SSP Jalandhar Rural Police by Feb. 19, 2026, directing him to present findings. Police acted after a disturbing video of a mentally challenged youth being forced into sexual abuse resurfaced online.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 760px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2023396458213388306&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4231%2F&sessionId=88dbb391e0659cdd10267ca980b9f1f3cee92f0a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The main accused, Harpreet Singh &ldquo;Happy,&rdquo; an affluent NRI linked to the animal in the video, was arrested, The Tribune reported.&nbsp;The case has been filed under India&rsquo;s Information Technology Act for sharing sexually explicit content, along with relevant criminal law sections, Jalandhar Rural Police said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 320px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2023031200559009886&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4231%2F&sessionId=88dbb391e0659cdd10267ca980b9f1f3cee92f0a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div><div>The video was recorded on Nov 25, 2025, but gained public attention only after it was widely circulated in mid-February 2026, according to The Tribune. The delay between the alleged incident and the enforcement response has renewed scrutiny of how extreme abuse can remain unaddressed until it becomes &ldquo;viral evidence,&rdquo; making identification of all participants and distributors more complex. &nbsp;</div> Police sources cited in local coverage indicated investigators were working to determine whether additional individuals were involved in filming, encouraging, or circulating the footage, beyond the arrested accused. The Commission&rsquo;s intervention is expected to press for clarity on these points, as well as the support measures offered to the victim, including medical care, protection, and any statutory relief.&nbsp; The case has also revived wider debate around caste-based vulnerability and impunity. National crime data show India recorded 57,789 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes in 2023, indicating persistent exposure to violence, coercion, and degrading treatment despite legal safeguards, as per figures cited by NDTV/ Press Trust of India. Authorities have not yet publicly detailed whether provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, will be applied in this case.&nbsp;

Indian National Flag (File Photo/ Wikimedia Commons)

India

Police action in Jalandhar follows quickly after a gruesome clip of the mentally challenged youth being forced to do bestiality resurfaced online

Police in Indian Punjab probe sexual abuse against Dalit youth

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of its sanctions monitoring team overseeing measures against the Taliban for another year, keeping the group under UN sanctions amid ongoing concerns about security and human rights in Afghanistan. All 15 members of the Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution under the 1988 sanctions regime, which targets the Taliban and affiliated entities deemed to threaten Afghanistan&rsquo;s peace, stability, and security. The draft resolution was prepared by the United States, renewing the Monitoring Team&rsquo;s mandate until Feb. 17, 2027.&nbsp;The decision means the UN monitoring team will continue to track implementation of sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargo measures.&nbsp; Travel-ban exemptions previously granted to several Taliban leaders were not renewed. The Taliban has repeatedly urged the international community to lift sanctions, arguing that restrictions hinder economic recovery and diplomatic engagement.&nbsp; However, members of the Security Council cited persistent concerns over the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, sweeping restrictions on women and girls, and the absence of an inclusive political framework as reasons to maintain the measures. Diplomats said the extension reflects the Council&rsquo;s view that conditions on the ground have not improved sufficiently to justify easing the sanctions regime.&nbsp; The monitoring team will continue reporting regularly to the Council on compliance and developments related to security threats and governance in Afghanistan.&nbsp; As there is an ongoing threat from Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), ISIL-Khorasan (ISIL-K), Majeed Brigade, and Al-Qaeda. The report pointed to growing concern across the region about cross-border attacks, the radicalization of vulnerable communities, and the use of commercial satellite communications and artificial intelligence by militant groups to advance their operations. &nbsp;While Afghan authorities emphasize no terrorist groups are present in the country, the Monitoring Team stated that &ldquo;no UN member state supported that assessment.&rdquo; On Al-Qaeda, the report said the group&rsquo;s intent and capability for external operations remain unchanged. It continues to serve as a training and advisory hub, particularly for TTP, and &ldquo;favors spectacular attacks aimed at attracting global media attention,&rdquo; highlighting the continued threat beyond the immediate region. The Monitoring Team warned that TTP could deepen cooperation with Al-Qaeda-aligned groups, potentially expanding the threat beyond the region.&nbsp;

Afghanistan

UN monitoring team will continue to track implementation of sanctions overseeing measures against the Taliban for another year; all 15 members of the Security Council, unanimously, adopted the resolution under the 1988 sanctions regime, which targets the Taliban and affiliated entities deemed to threaten Afghanistan’s peace, stability, and security.

UN Security Council extends Afghanistan sanctions monitoring mandate

ISLAMABAD: An Afghan human rights organization has warned that a new penal code issued for courts run by the Taliban legitimizes violence against women and children, institutionalizes discrimination, and strips defendants of basic legal protections. According to a report by AMU, an independent news organization based in Virginia, United States, the group Rawadari said it obtained a copy of the &ldquo;Penal Principles of Taliban Courts,&rdquo; a document it said was <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/taliban-government-instituted-systematic-institutionalized-campaign-to-erase-afghan-women-un-experts" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">violence against women</a> signed by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and circulated to judicial institutions across Afghanistan for implementation. Rawadari said the document consists of three sections, 10 chapters and 119 articles, and is in clear conflict with <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/malnutrition-having-harrowing-impact-on-afghan-women-wfp" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">international human rights standards</a> and fundamental principles of fair trial. In a statement, the organization said the code formally legalizes discrimination, suppresses basic freedoms, and enables arbitrary arrest and punishment. It said the provisions fail to recognize key legal safeguards, including the right to legal counsel, the presumption of innocence, the right to remain silent, protection against arbitrary detention, and the right to an effective defense. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2013900381172957565&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=a88a1e11d2d4a6dfe5d1ffb9a9875a3284bb70bb&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 600px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Rawadari said the code relies primarily on confessions and witness testimony to establish criminal responsibility and does not provide for independent investigations. The group warned that the approach could increase the risk of torture, coercion and abuse. The organization also raised concerns about provisions affecting children, saying the code does not explicitly prohibit violence against minors and, in some cases, permits corporal punishment. It cited Article 48, which it said allows a father to punish a 10-year-old son for reasons described as being in the child&rsquo;s &ldquo;interest.&rdquo; Rawadari said the code also contains provisions that narrowly criminalize domestic <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/taliban-government-instituted-systematic-institutionalized-campaign-to-erase-afghan-women-un-experts" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">violence against women</a>. Under Article 32, it said, a husband&rsquo;s use of force against his wife is considered a crime only if beatings with a stick result in severe injuries and can be proven before a judge, with a maximum penalty of 15 days in prison. Other forms of abuse, including psychological and sexual violence, are not explicitly prohibited, the organization said. It added that another article allows disciplinary punishment by a &ldquo;husband&rdquo; or &ldquo;master,&rdquo; which it warned could legitimize domestic violence. The group also cited provisions it said discriminate against religious minorities, labeling followers of the Hanafi school of Islam as Muslims while describing adherents of other sects and beliefs as &ldquo;deviants.&rdquo; Rawadari said such classifications could expose Shi&rsquo;ites, Ismailis, Salafis, Sikhs, and Hindus to arbitrary prosecution. Rawadari urged the Taliban to immediately suspend implementation of the code and called on the United Nations and the international community to use available legal mechanisms to prevent its enforcement. It said it would continue monitoring the conduct of the Taliban and publish regular findings. The Taliban have not publicly commented on the report. They have previously said their laws and policies are based on their interpretation of Islamic law.

TOPSHOT - A Taliban security personnel stands guard as Afghan burqa-clad women wait in queue in the midst of a downpour to receive food supplies donated during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Kabul on March 25, 2025 (AFP)

An Afghan human rights organization warns that a new penal code issued for courts run by the Taliban legitimizes violence against women and children, institutionalizes discrimination, and strips defendants of basic legal protections.

Human rights group says Taliban court code legitimizes violence: Reports 

ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Contact Group at a UN General Assembly sidelines meeting in New York reaffirmed support for Kashmiris&rsquo; right to self-determination, Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The session, chaired by the OIC Secretary-General, was attended by foreign ministers and senior officials from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, T&uuml;rkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Niger.&nbsp; Pakistani Prime Minister&rsquo;s Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi, along with representatives of Kashmiri organizations, briefed the group on the latest developments in the region. The Foreign Office (FO) said the OIC &ldquo;reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Kashmiri people&#39;s inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.&rdquo; It said the ministers &ldquo;expressed solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan, and indicated their deep concern over the recent military escalation in the South Asia region.&nbsp; This included the &ldquo;unjustified strikes carried out on multiple locations in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and stressed the need to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that would destabilize the region.&rdquo; They &ldquo;welcomed the ceasefire between the two sides&rdquo; and &ldquo;appreciated the constructive efforts made by all countries to mediate.&rdquo;&nbsp; Peace contingent upon final settlementThe FO said that developments since the April 22 Pahalgam attack indicate that &ldquo;durable peace and stability in South Asia will remain contingent upon the final settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.&rdquo; The communiqu&eacute; voiced concern over around 2,800 arrests and about three dozen houses demolished in Jammu and Kashmir. It also noted serious concerns over the detention of Kashmiri leader Shabbir Ahmed Shah, and &ldquo;denounced the curbs on the religious congregations at Srinagar&#39;s historic Jamia Masjid and Eidgah.&rdquo; The FO added that the ministers &ldquo;reiterated their rejection of illegal and unilateral actions taken by India on 5 August 2019,&rdquo; and stressed that &ldquo;any electoral exercise in IIOJK [Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir] &hellip; cannot serve as a substitute to the grant of the right to self-determination,&rdquo; and &ldquo;denounced the curbs on the religious congregations at Srinagar&#39;s historic Jamia Masjid and Eidgah.&rdquo; Fact-finding mission requestedThe OIC directed its Observer Missions in New York and Geneva to circulate the Joint Communiqu&eacute; to member states and UN officials to &ldquo;highlight the plight of the Kashmiri people at various international fora,&rdquo; and &ldquo;further requested the OIC-Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission to dispatch a fact-finding mission to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Line of Control,&rdquo; said the FO.&nbsp; The communiqu&eacute; welcomed the OIC Special Envoy&rsquo;s April visit to Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and urged the OIC Human Rights Commission to send a fact-finding mission to the Line of Control.&nbsp; Member states &ldquo;reiterated their rejection of illegal and unilateral actions taken by India on 5 August 2019,&rdquo; and stressed that any elections &ldquo;cannot serve as a substitute&rdquo; for self-determination, and urged India to release political prisoners and repeal &ldquo;restrictive and draconian laws,&rdquo; the ministry said. They urged India to &ldquo;improve the human rights situation in IIOJK Kashmiri political prisoners, lift the ban on the outlawed Kashmiri political parties, repeal all restrictive and draconian laws.&rdquo; OIC further called on India to &ldquo;implement the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.&rdquo;

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, left, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attend a multilateral meeting during the 80th United Nations General Assembl

Asia

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, meeting in New York, reaffirmed its support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, urged India to end rights abuses, and implement United Nations resolutions.

OIC urges India to end rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir 

Reuters

Aung San Suu Kyi’s son says the 80-year-old former Myanmar leader is suffering from worsening heart problems and may not be receiving proper medical care in military custody

Articles tagged with "Human Rights"

Police in Indian Punjab probe sexual abuse against Dalit youth

UN Security Council extends Afghanistan sanctions monitoring mandate

Human rights group says Taliban court code legitimizes violence: Reports

OIC urges India to end rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir

Myanmar's Suu Kyi health worsening in military custody, son says