Mass convictions of opposition activists in Tunisia
19/4/2025: Amnesty International has condemned the sentencing in Tunisia of 40 individuals, including prominent political opposition figures, to harsh prison terms. Their trial has been riddled with procedural violations and was based on unsubstantiated charges.
Source: Amnesty International
Zimbabwe’s President signs law to curb civic space
17/4/2025: President Mnangagwa has signed a law on nongovernmental organizations that sharply curtails the rights to freedom of association and expression, according to Human Rights Watch. A debt relief programme currently under consideration by bilateral and multilateral creditors may be at risk.
Source: Human Rights Watch
As famine data dries up, can AI step in?
17/4/2025: Researchers are developing AI tools to predict famine more accurately and affordably. The dismantling of USAID has already shuttered FEWS NET, the gold standard for forecasting food crises.
Source: Devex
World Bank defends climate strategy ahead of Spring Meetings
17/4/2025: The World Bank has defended its commitment to devoting 45% of its annual lending to climate-related projects. And it has continued using phrases such as “climate change” and “climate finance” despite the Trump administration’s attempts to ban such terms by the organizations it funds. The US is the Bank’s largest shareholder.
Source: Devex
Libya’s fragile transition plagued by economic and political divides
17/4/2025: While the 2020 ceasefire continues to hold, the broader human rights situation remains deeply concerning – particularly regarding the treatment of refugees and humanitarian workers. There is a growing recognition that external actors must collaborate to support a comprehensive, Libyan-led solution to the country’s crisis.
Source: UN News
In 2024, global aid fell for the first time in five years
16/4/2025: Global official development assistance dropped 7.1% in 2024, as donor countries scaled back funding for Ukraine, humanitarian crises, and refugee costs. Member countries of the Development Assistance Committee contributed a combined $212.1 billion, representing 0.33% of their collective gross national income. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will update these provisional figures in December.
Source: Devex
Remittances far outstrip foreign aid. But can they replace it?
16/4/2025: In 2024, global remittances totalled around $685 billion, outpacing foreign aid. India was the top recipient, with inflows reaching $129 billion, followed by Mexico with $68 billion. There is debate about the pros and cons of remittances.
Source: Devex
Countries finalize historic pandemic agreement
16/4/2025: A multilateral Pandemic Agreement outlines a framework for strengthening international collaboration in the face of future global health threats. The agreed draft will now be submitted for consideration to the 78th World Health Assembly, set to begin in May. The US has withdrawn from the process and would not be bound by the pact.
Source: UN News
Is it time to say RIP to the Sustainable Development Goals?
15/4/2025: Even before the dramatic changes of the past few months, the Sustainable Development Goals were in trouble, with only 17% on track. But the Goals still enjoy almost universal support among UN members who recognize that humanity’s progress has happened when people work together, not when a ‘winner-takes-all’ mentality prevails.
Source: Inter Press Service
UN landmines resolution highlights human rights impact
14/4/2025: The UN Human Rights Council has passed a resolution which strongly endorses the long-standing international treaty prohibiting antipersonnel mines. Since March, five European countries have announced their intention to withdraw from the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, while US government aid cuts have disrupted mine clearance operations around the world.
Source: Human Rights Watch