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

disops News

Impact of digital disinformation unpacked in new research brief series

9 April 2025

Our new series of Research Briefs examine the impact of digital disinformation and potential solutions for its regulation

Read more

Geneva Academy Briefing No.25 News

New Academy Briefing Calls for Stronger Engagement of Local and Regional Governments in Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

11 March 2025

The Geneva Academy’s latest publication explores how cities, municipalities, and regional authorities are becoming key players in global human rights governance.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

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

Wheat field Project

The Right to Seeds in Europe

Started in January 2018

The project will notably identify the main opportunities and obstacles to protect the right to seeds in Europe. It will also discuss how to promote changes in European laws, policies and trade agreements to ensure that they do not infringe, but facilitate the realization of peasants’ right to seeds.

Read more

Crops view from the sky Project

The Right to Food in Europe

Started in December 2022

This research will provide legal expertise to a variety of stakeholders on the implementation of the right to food, and on the right to food as a legal basis for just transformation toward sustainable food systems in Europe. It will also identify lessons learned from the 2023 recognition of the right to food in the Constitution of the Canton of Geneva.  

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

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