What does Russia leaving the Council of Europe mean?
17/3/2022: The Russian Federation's exit from Europe's top human rights watchdog has been condemned by human rights groups concerned about the impact on victims of the Kremlin's rights abuses. The Council of Europe was formed in 1949 and seeks to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe.
Source: DW
Bangladesh: stop flouting UN rights concerns
17/3/2022: The Bangladesh government should meaningfully respond to UN concerns regarding torture, enforced disappearance, and extrajudicial killings in the country, Human Rights Watch has said. The US has already sanctioned the country’s Rapid Action Battalion for serious rights violations.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Cambodia: opposition politicians convicted in mass trial
17/3/2022: A Cambodian court has convicted 20 opposition politicians and activists, after an unfair trial in which no credible evidence was brought against the defendants, according to Human Rights Watch. Many activists have fled the country because they fear arbitrary arrest.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Mexico: Shelve regressive bill to curb civil society groups
11/3/2022: A bill being considered by Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies would severely restrict the work of civil society groups in Mexico and violate Mexico’s international legal obligations, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have said. The bill would prohibit non-profit organizations from trying to influence laws if they receive funding, directly or indirectly, from foreign governments or corporations.
Source: Amnesty International
UN rights chief decries 81 executions in Saudi Arabia
14/3/2022: High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has condemned the beheading of 81 people by Saudi Arabia during the course of a single day. Ms. Bachelet voiced her concern over the extremely broad definition of terrorism in Saudi legislation.
Source: UN News
UN commissioner to travel to Xinjiang on long-delayed visit
8/3/2022: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has announced the first visit to China by a UN rights team since 2005. She has been promised unfettered access to the troubled western Xinjiang province.
Source: DW
Dramatic deterioration in respect for women’s rights
7/3/2022: Amnesty International has warned that catastrophic attacks on human rights and gender equality over the past twelve months have lowered protection for and upped threats against women and girls across the globe. On International Women's Day the organization called for bold action to reverse erosions of human rights for women and girls.
Source: Amnesty International
The human rights situation in Russia
4/3/2022: The UN Human Rights Council has been alerted by campaign organisations to the intensified crackdown on human rights in Russia. A fully-fledged witch hunt against independent groups human rights defenders media outlets and political opposition is decimating civil society.
Source: Human Rights Watch
US State of the Union: democracy and human rights
28/2/2022: By comparison with the dismal performance of former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden refreshingly promised a foreign policy guided by human rights. But despite some positive steps Biden's approach has been disappointingly conventional.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Russian censorship reaches new heights
28/2/2022: Russian authorities have threatened to fine or block 10 Russian independent media outlets if they do not delete publications about the war in Ukraine.
Source: Human Rights Watch