China and Russia fail to defund UN human rights work
15/2/2023: UN member states have agreed to fully fund UN human rights mechanisms that China and Russia had sought to eliminate from the 2023 budget. UN investigations in Sri Lanka, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, Ukraine, Nicaragua, North Korea, Belarus, Syria, and Eritrea will continue.
Source: Inter Press Service
Zimbabwe proposes law that threatens rights and civic space
2/2/2023: A bill that threatens civic society organizations working on human rights in Zimbabwe has been presented to President Mnangagwa for signature. The proposed bill will restrict civic space and access to humanitarian support services.
Source: Amnesty International
Senior UN leaders show support for Afghan women
31/1/2023: A UN delegation has visited Afghanistan in response to a series of Taliban decrees that have stripped women of the means to actively participate in society. The country is reliant on international aid which in turn is reliant on respect for human rights.
Source: Inter Press Service
Amnesty calls for global action on Myanmar coup
30/1/2023: Amnesty International is calling for increased global action and solidarity ahead of the anniversary of the 2021 coup in Myanmar. The military’s onslaught against anyone perceived to be opposed to its rule has caused widespread human rights violations.
Source: Amnesty International
ICC authorizes resumed Philippines investigation
27/1/2023: Judges at the International Criminal Court have authorized the resumption of its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in the Philippines. The ICC’s action is an important step toward accountability for the “drug war” killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Is the EU losing the fight for human rights in Asia?
24/1/2023: The European Union is a key investor and trading partner of most states in the Southeast Asia region. But many of these countries have poor reputations for human rights and the EU's habit of criticizing governments over human rights doesn't go down too well.
Source: DW
A new model for global leadership on human rights
12/1/2023: The litany of human rights crises that unfolded in 2022 has opened new opportunities for human rights leadership, according to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2023. Protecting and strengthening the global human rights system demands renewed commitments by all governments that transcend current political alliances.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Tanzania ends ban on political rallies
9/1/2023: Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ended a six-year ban on politicians holding political rallies outside of election periods. Hassan continues to respond to human rights concerns associated with her predecessor, the late John Magufuli.
Source: Human Rights Watch
UN condemns Taliban decision to bar women from universities
21/12/2022: The UN family and the entire humanitarian community in Afghanistan has condemned the Taliban’s decision to close universities to women. The Taliban has already barred girls from secondary school and excluded women from most of the workforce.
Source: UN News
Historic UN censure of Myanmar Junta
21/12/2022: The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution denouncing the Myanmar military’s rights violations since the February 2021 coup. The landmark resolution is the first on Myanmar in the UN's history.
Source: Human Rights Watch