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

soldiers News

New Publication Examines the Effects of Private Military and Security Companies

12 March 2025

Our latest research brief examines how Private Military and Security Companies have reshaped warfare, international law, and global stability.

Read more

neurotech image News

Research Brief Evaluates the Human Rights Implications of Neurotechnology in Therapeutic and Commercial Applications

27 March 2025

Our research brief, Neurotechnology and Human Rights: An Audit of Risks, Regulatory Challenges, and Opportunities, examines the human rights implications of neurotechnology in both therapeutic and commercial applications.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Sign: National Human Rights Commission of Nepal Project

Local Implementation of Global Human Rights

Started in May 2020

The Geneva Human Rights Platform collaborates with a series of actors to reflect on the implementation of international human rights norms at the local level and propose solutions to improve uptake of recommendations and decisions taken by Geneva-based human rights bodies at the local level.

Read more

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

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