Minority Rights

Press release

GHRD Returns to the Palais des Nations With a New Exhibition on Minority Rights in Asia

This exhibition highlights documented human rights violations against minority communities across Asia, including religious and ethnic groups facing discrimination, enforced disappearances, restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, and systemic marginalisation. Through testimonies, photographs, and case studies, it seeks to raise awareness and promote accountability at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Article

Security Over Identity: Iran’s Suppression of Ahwazi Arab Identity

This article examines the systemic discrimination faced by Iran’s Ahwazi Arab minority, focusing on the criminalisation of cultural identity, restrictions on language and expression, violent repression of protests, and the misuse of national security laws. It argues that these practices violate Iran’s obligations under international human rights law, including protections for minority rights, freedom of expression, fair trial guarantees, and the right to life.

Article

Caught in the Crossfire: Iran’s Minorities in Times of War

On June 25, 2025, the execution of Kurdish porter Edris Ali exposed a deeper pattern at the heart of Iran’s current crisis. As war with Israel and the United States escalates, longstanding structures of marginalisation are not paused but intensified, with ethnic and religious minorities facing most of the harm, seen both as internal threats and as groups that can be easily sacrificed.

Press release

Balochistan: 78 Years of Occupation, Human Rights Abuses and the Failure of International Accountability

This press release highlights exhibitions at the United Nations drawing attention to human rights violations faced by Sindhi and Baloch communities in Pakistan. It underscores issues such as enforced disappearances, repression of journalists, and threats to cultural identity. The events also amplified calls for self-determination and greater international action to protect these communities.

Press release

Sindhi and Baloch Communities Reinvidicate Human Rights Violations and Self-Determination Rights

This press release highlights exhibitions at the United Nations drawing attention to human rights violations faced by Sindhi and Baloch communities in Pakistan. It underscores issues such as enforced disappearances, repression of journalists, and threats to cultural identity. The events also amplified calls for self-determination and greater international action to protect these communities.

Press release

Systematic Human Rights Crisis in Sindh and Balochistan

This press release highlights systemic human rights violations against Sindhi and Baloch communities in Pakistan, including forced conversions, economic marginalisation, and enforced disappearances. It underscores patterns of structural discrimination and political repression affecting religious and indigenous minorities. Speakers called for international accountability and stronger protection of minority rights and self-determination.

Article

Iraq is Losing its Fiercest Female Voices

This article examines how Iran’s ethnic and religious minorities, especially Kurds, Baluchis, and Arabs, face intensified repression during times of war and political crisis. It highlights patterns of executions, arbitrary arrests, torture, and structural discrimination that deepen during conflict. The piece argues that external war has served as a pretext for expanding long-standing state violence against minority communities.

Press release

Rohingya Heritage in Exile: European Parliament Exhibition Highlights Cultural Resilience Amid Ongoing Genocide

This press release highlights an exhibition at the European Parliament that brought attention to the Rohingya people’s cultural resilience amid genocide and prolonged displacement. It underscores how preserving heritage, memory, and identity remains vital for a community facing statelessness, exile, and ongoing humanitarian crisis. The exhibition also called for stronger international action, accountability, and safe, dignified repatriation.

Press release

Human Rights Exhibition at the United Nations in Geneva. Violations Across Asia

During the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, GHRD is hosting a three-day exhibition highlighting human rights violations across Asia. The exhibition presents testimonies, visual documentation, and case studies on discrimination, repression, and violence faced by minority and vulnerable communities. It aims to encourage greater international attention, accountability, and protection of fundamental rights.

Press release

At HRC61, GHRD Highlights the Human Rights Implications of Blasphemy Laws for Minority Communities Across Asia

At the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Global Human Rights Defence hosted a side event on the impact of blasphemy laws on minority communities in Asia. Speakers highlighted that such laws exist in around 100 countries and are often used to target minorities and dissenting voices. The discussion emphasized that blasphemy laws are incompatible with international human rights standards and called on states to reform or repeal them.

6th GHRD International Film Festival: Human Trafficking Edition
Submission Deadline: 9th August 2026
Submission Form