International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Subject : International Conventions Context : India’s new information technology (IT) rules do not conform with global human rights norms, experts from the United Nations have said Concept : The letter says that India’s new IT Rules are in violation of rules laid down in the […]

    Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of 1972 Subject: International Conventions Context: For bio-weapons, all we have is the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of 1972 with no implementing body. Concept: Biological weapons Also called germ weapons, they are any of a number of disease-producing agents—such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, toxins, […]

    CHEMICAL WEAPONS USED IN SYRIA Subject: International Conventions Context: Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has told the United Nations Security Council that it investigated 77 allegations against Syria, and concluded in 17 cases chemical weapons were likely or definitely used. Concept: Syria was pressed to join the chemical weapons convention […]

    VIENNA CONVENTION ON CONSULAR ACCESS Subject: International Conventions Context: Ramesh Taba Sosa, an Indian fisherman, is the latest victim of an inhuman and skewed system involving India and Pakistan, in which mortal remains of prisoners are not repatriated for months. Concept: India and Pakistan signed the Agreement on Consular Access in 2008. Though […]

    CEDAW Subject : International Conventions Context : Pune RS MP demands criminalisation of marital rape. Concept : The Convention on the Elimination of ALL Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an international bill of rights for women, consisting […]