UN human rights chief denounces “glorification of violence”
10/9/2025: Mr Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has warned that the long-established rules of war “are being shredded”, with virtually no accountability, coupled with a troubling erosion of international law. He reaffirmed that human rights are a beacon of hope in the search for a better world.
Source: Third World Network
Uganda welcomes refugees despite diminishing funds
9/9/2025: Since the start of 2025, an average of 600 people, mostly from Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been arriving in Uganda each day. The East African country currently hosts nearly 2 million refugees, over half of them children. Resources are stretched with crowded schools, inadequate shelter, and limited access to food and health care.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
Israeli displacement order on entire Gaza City defies international law
9/9/2025: Israel’s intent to displace around 1 million civilians, half of whom are living in famine, is impossible and illegal, according to Oxfam, while the Israeli military continued to flatten Gaza City building by building. The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 explicitly prohibits an occupying power from deporting or forcibly transferring members of the occupied civilian population.
Source: Oxfam International
No progress in Afghanistan without women’s freedom
8/9/2025: In recent weeks, the walls of the Afghan capital have been plastered with government reminders about its strict interpretation of Islamic rule, replacing colourful murals promoting women’s rights. After four years of Taliban rule women continue to live with fear, deprivation, and many restrictions.
Source: Inter Press Service
Anti-gay law shocks community in Burkina Faso
6/9/2025: Burkina Faso’s minister of justice and human rights has amended a law in order to impose a prison sentence of 2-5 years for those who “promote homosexuality”. The amendment is seen by many as part of a wider push across Africa to promote what are called “family values”, but which oppose abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
Source: The Guardian
Momentum grows for new Treaty on Right to Education
5/9/2025: The existing Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees free primary education but stops short of requiring governments to deliver free secondary or early childhood education. A recent gathering of 92 countries has launched an intensive round of consultations to address these gaps.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Funding cuts curtail assistance to victims of sexual violence in DR Congo
5/9/2025: The UN has warned that the cash crunch affecting its human rights work has impeded a potential war crimes probe into sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Violations of international humanitarian law have been committed by all parties to the conflict.
Source: UN News
Iran unleashes wave of internal oppression
3/9/2025: Iran is waging a terrifying crackdown under the guise of national security in the aftermath of hostilities with Israel. Since 13 June, Iranian authorities have arrested over 20,000 people, including dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists, social media users, and foreign nationals.
Source: Amnesty International
UN calls for support to end displacement for millions of Syrians
2/9/2025: Around 850,000 Syrians have returned home from neighbouring countries since the fall of the Assad government in December. Many more have expressed their intention to return in the coming months and continued support will be needed.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
China unveils vision for equitable global governance
2/9/2025: At the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, President Xi Jinping called for “an equal and orderly multipolar world." His proposed Global Governance Initiative would include full and comprehensive adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Source: Third World Network