Minority Rights in Russia, China, India, Egypt and Hungary Examined in New Research Brief

18 December 2024

In our latest research brief, 'The "War on Minorities" Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism', Beatrice Meretti, Research Assistant at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, critically explores how, under the guise of national security, governments misuse counter-terrorism (CT) and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) laws and narratives to target minorities and suppress political opposition. Meretti examines the harmful consequences of vague and broadly defined legal provisions that allow states to categorize a wide range of activities—from political dissent and criticism to minority rights advocacy and activism, to simple religious and/or ethnic diversity — as 'extremism' or 'terrorism.'

The paper emphasizes how these frameworks disproportionately affect marginalized and vulnerable groups — including religious and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants, political dissidents and civil society at large — by justifying judicial harassment, repression, and violence. Governments exploit these frameworks to foster a polarized environment, presenting state actions as necessary for national security while undermining fundamental human rights.

Meretti asserts that this pattern of repression is not confined to authoritarian regimes, but also appears in democracies, highlighting the need to examine countries across the political spectrum. By analysing five case studies—Russia, China, India, Egypt, and Hungary — Meretti illustrates how national security rhetoric is used to mask politically motivated actions aimed at consolidating power and reinforcing discriminatory policies. The paper further highlights how the rise of populism has amplified the use of CT and P/CVE laws and narratives, enabling leaders to suppress dissent, curtail diversity, and erode democratic values. Ultimately, Meretti argues that while CT and P/CVE laws are intended to protect citizens from genuine threats, they are increasingly used to weaken democratic institutions and foster a climate of insecurity and polarization.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

quadcopter drone News

New Report Highlights Risks Posed by Autonomous Weapons Systems Proliferation to State and Non-State Actors

21 August 2024

Our latest research brief, 'Sending Up a Flare: Autonomous Weapons Systems Proliferation Risks to Human Rights and International Security' examines the proliferation of autonomous weapons systems and consequent risks to security and human rights.

Read more

A GHRP training course News

Training Opportunities 2025: Engage with UN Human Rights Mechanisms

28 January 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform is launching its 2025 training programme, designed to empower stakeholders engaging with UN human rights system.

Read more

Graffiti of Soldier (AI Generated) Event

Feeling Unsafe: Law as Emotional Regulation in the Development and Deployment of AI-enabled Means and Methods of Warfare

21 February 2025, 09:30-11:00

This panel event explores the role that emotions play in the development, deployment, and regulation of artificial intelligence in warfare.

Read more

Faces and Data Event

The Future of Human Rights Measurement and Tracking

18 February 2025, 16:00-17:30

This Human Rights Conversation will bring together leading organizations and experts in the field, delving into specific tools, databases, and approaches that can enhance human rights monitoring and implementation.

Read more

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Booklet Training

The International Human Rights Standards and System: Monitoring and Implementation Strategies at the National Level

7-11 July 2025

This training course will delve into the means and mechanisms through which national actors can best coordinate their human rights monitoring and implementation efforts, enabling them to strategically navigate the UN human rights system and use the various mechanisms available in their day-to-day work.

Read more

Asian workers working at technology production factory with industrial machines Training

Business and Human Rights

19-23 May 2025

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

Read more

First annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Project

The Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Started in June 2019

Read more

Panel Discussion: Project

Treaty Body Members’ Platform

Started in January 2014

The Treaty Body Members’ Platform connects experts in UN treaty bodies with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

War on Minorities’ Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

published on December 2024

Beatrice Meretti

Read more