UN Refugee Agency braces for thousands of job cuts
20/3/2025: The head of the UN Refugee Agency has warned staff that he is contemplating cuts of as many as 5,000 to 6,000 workers, primarily the result of “financial uncertainty” wrought by the US foreign aid freeze. The move comes as a number of UN agencies are bracing for deep cuts.
Source: Devex
Chilling verdict against Greenpeace sets damaging precedent
20/3/2025: A US jury in North Dakota has ordered Greenpeace to pay at least $660m to the fossil fuel company Energy Transfer for the actions of protesters opposed to the Dakota Access pipeline in 2016 and 2017. Amnesty International has warned that the verdict has severe implications for Indigenous Peoples, and other climate activists who tirelessly work to protect human rights.
Source: Amnesty International
US dismisses tariff complaints from Canada and China at WTO
20/3/2025: Canada and China have lodged complaints about US trade tariffs, following procedures laid down by the World Trade Organization. The US has responded with attempts to justify its unilateral actions.
Source: Third World Network
Judge finds DOGE’s shutdown of USAID ‘likely’ unconstitutional
19/3/2025: In a lawsuit brought by a group of anonymous USAID employees and contractors, a federal judge ordered employees access to USAID systems reinstated and barred Elon Musk and DOGE from taking further actions to shutter USAID. He stopped short of reinstating terminated programs or compelling payments.
Source: Devex
DOGE ‘breaks into’ the US Institute of Peace
18/3/2025: The US Institute of Peace has described itself as a nonpartisan, independent entity, focused on protecting American interests by preventing violence and promoting peace. Although not a U.S. government agency, it was one of three international aid organizations targeted by President Trump last month. Now, DOGE has made its way into USIP’s offices too.
Source: Devex
UN migration agency cuts more jobs
13/3/2025: The International Organization for Migration, which serves a global population of over 280 million migrants, has laid off 20% of its headquarters staff, ceasing lifesaving operations from Myanmar to Yemen. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump suspended the program which resettled more than 100,000 refugees in the US in 2024.
Source: Devex
Guterres launches plan to update the UN for the 21st century
12/3/2025: The UN80 Initiative aims to deliver tangible improvements in peace, development and humanitarian aid – all while ensuring that public funds are used wisely and transparently. The Secretary-General said: "the United Nations has never been more needed. Our values have never been more relevant."
Source: UN News
Return proposals a “new low” for Europe’s treatment of migrants
11/3/2025: The European Commission has introduced a proposed revision to the 2008 Return Directive which lays the ground for states to send people to countries to which they have no connection. Amnesty International describes this as an alarming departure from international law, likely to result in violations, including refoulement and arbitrary detention.
Source: Amnesty International
Duterte’s arrest is a monumental step for justice
11/3/2025: Amnesty International has welcomed news that former President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by Philippine authorities on the basis of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for the crime against humanity of murder in relation to killings in the “war on drugs”.
Source: Amnesty International
Myanmar Junta’s farcical plans for elections
11/3/2025: Human Rights Watch says that Myanmar’s generals do not control enough of the country to hold credible elections in January 2026. A recent census obtained returns from less than half of the country. Countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are divided on whether to support the elections.
Source: Human Rights Watch