Silencing dissent: mass trials in the United Arab Emirates Press Club Geneva

Silencing dissent: mass trials in the United Arab Emirates Press Club Geneva

Geneva, 2 October 2025 — On the occasion of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, the Geneva Press Club hosted an event on Thursday 2 October 2025 on “Silencing dissent: mass trials in the United Arab Emirates”. The event took place only a few days after the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights presented the annual report on intimidation and reprisals against those cooperating with the United Nations, which highlighted concerns regarding the conduct of arbitrary arrests and mass trials in the UAE.

HRC 60 side-event : Silencing dissent: mass trials in the United Arab Emirates

HRC 60 side-event : Silencing dissent: mass trials in the United Arab Emirates

On Tuesday 2 October, CAP Freedom of Conscience co-sponsored an event at the Geneva Press Club on “Silencing dissent: mass trials in the United Arab Emirates”. During the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, the organisation had hosted a similar side event at the United Nations to highlight the crisis of arbitrary detention in the United Arab Emirates following mass trials, and to examine the country’s persistent failure to comply with international standards.

HRC 60 Side-event : UNHRC60 side event urges UN to press European Commission on GSP+ enforcement in Pakistan

HRC 60 Side-event : UNHRC60 side event urges UN to press European Commission on GSP+ enforcement in Pakistan

A side event at the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session (UNHRC60) in Geneva urged the Council’s mechanisms to place structured pressure on the European Commission to apply the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) as written, using six procedural steps outlined by Inna Chefranova of the European Facilitation Platform (EFP).

HRC 60 side-event : Indo-Mediterranean: Women and Children Are Extremism’s First Victims

HRC 60 side-event : Indo-Mediterranean: Women and Children Are Extremism’s First Victims

weakest and most vulnerable individuals, especially women and children. The world is also connected, with the effects of radicalization being felt in Europe and South Asia with extremism, anti-semitism and terrorism as well as indoctrination of youth more rampant. To discuss this a side event is being held at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 60th session.

Piro Chak Burning: Ahmadi Homes, Shops, and Lives Under Siege in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan

Piro Chak Burning: Ahmadi Homes, Shops, and Lives Under Siege in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan

On the evening of September 28, 2025, a violent mob descended upon the Ahmadiyya residents of Piro Chak, a village in the Sialkot district of Punjab, Pakistan. The assailants, incited by religious hatred, systematically attacked homes, shops, and vehicles belonging to members of the community. Eyewitness accounts and journalistic reports describe a scene of terror and destruction, with properties set ablaze and looted while the occupants fled for their lives.

UN HRC 60 de-Event: The Impact of Extremism on Women & Vulnerable Groups in the Indo-Mediterranean Region

UN HRC 60 de-Event: The Impact of Extremism on Women & Vulnerable Groups in the Indo-Mediterranean Region

In a globally interconnected world, the effects of extremism originating in hotspots like South Asia, Somalia, and Yemen are felt socially, economically, and politically across continents. This panel will bring together experts to highlight the condition of women, children, and vulnerable groups who bear the brunt of this instability. The discussion aims to foster a multidisciplinary understanding and seek pathways for their protection and empowerment.

HRC 60 oral statement : Item 4: General debate on the human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

HRC 60 oral statement : Item 4: General debate on the human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

We and Human Rights Without Frontiers are deeply concerned about the fact that chaplaincy activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in a number of Belgian prisons are in practice not allowed any more.

Since 2019, Jehovah’s Witnesses have written six times to the Minister of Justice and have initiated legal proceedings due to this discrimination experienced in four Belgian prisons: Nivelles, Leuze, Dinant, and Leuven Central.

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