UN report finds serious human rights violations in Xinjiang
31/8/2022: Michelle Bachelet, the departing UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, has finally published her investigation into treatment of ethnic minorities by the Chinese authorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It concludes that the extent of arbitrary detentions against Uyghur and others may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.
Source: UN News
By failing Afghan women, we are failing women everywhere
24/8/2022: In August 2021 Afghan women leaders were excluded from the peace process and subsequently abandoned to the misogyny of the Taliban. Other oppressive regimes of the world are aware that a year has passed with no meaningful action taken by the international community.
Source: Devex
Rushdie joins call for freedom of expression in India
17/8/2022: International writers have called on the authorities in India to respect human rights and release those imprisoned for dissidence. Since the 2019 general election pressure has increased on the media to toe the line of the Hindu nationalist government. Salman Rushdie signed the letter before the recent attack on him.
Source: Inter Press Service
European envoys praise Kenya’s electoral commission
17/8/2022: Nine ambassadors and high commissioners from European countries and Canada have jointly lauded Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for the way it conducted the August 9 General Election. The ambassadors said the open election has set a standard for the African continent.
Source: The East African
Taliban’s catastrophic year of rule in Afghanistan
11/8/2022: Since taking control of Afghanistan a year ago, Taliban authorities have imposed severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights, suppressed the media, and arbitrarily detained, tortured, and executed their perceived opponents. These abuses have imperiled international efforts to address the country’s dire humanitarian situation.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Rwanda: human rights should be priority on Blinken trip
8/8/2022: The US Secretary of State’s forthcoming visit to Rwanda offers an opportunity to raise concerns about a wide range of alleged state-sponsored violations of human rights, both within and across Rwanda’s borders.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Press freedom increasingly under threat in Cambodia
3/8/2022: All of the 65 journalists interviewed for a report now published by the UN Human Rights Office said they had faced some form of interference in the course of their work. For years, Cambodian authorities have adopted legislation restricting civic space generally, and press freedom in particular.
Source: UN News
Senegal’s disputed elections test the country’s democracy
2/8/2022: Senegal's reputation as a stable democracy could suffer serious dents as its electoral commission prevented many opposition leaders from running in Senegal's recent parliamentary elections. Observers fear that disrespect of the rule of law and the constitution plays into the hands of extremists.
Source: DW
Myanmar Junta executes four
25/7/2022: Myanmar’s military junta has reported the execution of four men in the country’s first death sentences carried out in over 30 years. All were convicted after closed trials that fell far short of international standards.
Source: Human Rights Watch
“Right to Protest” under threat around the world
20/7/2022: Citizens across the globe are confronted by a growing number of laws restricting their right to protest; enforced by mass surveillance, internet shutdowns and online censorship. Amnesty International has launched a new global campaign to protect this fundamental human right.
Source: Inter Press Service