Nicaragua continues to weaken political freedoms, UN warns
22/7/2026: The UN human rights chief has condemned new threats from Nicaragua’s co-president Daniel Ortega to hinder civil rights. The government has recently revoked lawyers’ credentials with no explanation and detained 46 individuals arbitrarily for political reasons. Elections scheduled for next year may be cancelled.
Source: UN News
Ugandan military seizing government critics
16/7/2026: Since mid-June 2026, Ugandan security forces have unlawfully seized at least five critics of President Yoweri Museveni and his son. The army has also forced the country’s largest independent media company to cease operations because of negative coverage of the president
Source: Human Rights Watch
Burkina Faso forces closure of UN human rights office
2/7/2026: The UN has announced that it will permanently close its human rights operations in Burkina Faso, ending its ability to monitor, document, and report on abuses at a time when conflict continues and violations are rampant. The government accuses international organisations of overstepping the country’s sovereignty.
Source: Human Rights Watch
US Democracy at risk on 250th anniversary
25/6/2026: Human Rights Watch has warned that current US policies threaten the exercise of human rights that are essential to democracy and consistent with national celebration. The administration has substantively undermined the rule of law, free speech and expression, and the right to vote.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Challenges for the Human Rights Council as it turns 20
19/6/2026: It is 20 years since the UN Human Rights Council began its work as the world’s principal forum tasked with promoting and defending fundamental rights everywhere. The current UN-wide funding crisis represents an existential challenge to the Council's human rights investigators who are mandated to monitor situations of concern and encourage action.
Source: UN News
Global executions surge to highest recorded figure
18/5/2026: Over 2,000 people were executed across 17 countries in 2025, an annual increase of 78%, very largely the responsibility of Iran and Saudi Arabia. This data excludes China, believed to be the world’s lead executioner.
Source: Amnesty International
Cuts in US foreign aid harm human rights globally
14/5/2026: The US government had been the largest donor to human rights work around the world for decades, until the current Trump administration gutted US foreign aid. A new report finds that investigations into abuses have been halted, support for victims cut off, and organizations that helped deter violations have been forced to scale back or close.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Postponement of rights conference in Zambia allegedly imposed by China
5/5/2026: Over 5000 people from 150 countries were expected to meet in Lusaka for RightsCon, a biennial platform for dialogue on emerging human rights issues in the digital space. Alleged pressure by Chinese diplomats was behind the last-minute postponement.
Source: Amnesty International
EU budget support for Ethiopia ignores human rights reality
22/4/2026: Ahead of national elections to be held on June 1st, Ethiopian authorities have imposed heightened restrictions on independent media, harassed and detained journalists, threatened civil society groups, and severely curtailed peaceful assembly and free speech. Despite these abuses, the European Union has resumed direct budget support to the Ethiopian government.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Amnesty calls on states to confront attacks on human rights and international law
21/4/2026: Amnesty International's annual report warns that predatory attacks on multilateralism, international law and civil society amount to a pivotal moment for humanity. The alternative on offer is a racist, patriarchal, unequal and anti-rights world order.
Source: Amnesty International