Human Rights

Bahrain: Formula 1 Ignores Rights Commitments

Calls for Grand Prix Organizer to Implement Human Rights Policy

The Formula One Group disregards its human rights commitments and overlooks grave rights abuses in Bahrain, Human Rights Watch said on March 22, 2019. Some of the abuses appear to be directly related to Formula One’s activities in the country.

Venezuela: ‘A worrying destabilizing factor in the region’, Bachelet tells Human Rights Council

Expressing deep concern at the “magnitude and gravity of the human rights impact” of Venezuela’s current crisis, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Wednesday that the country had become “a worrying destabilizing factor in the region.”

Cambodia: Investigate Land Activist’s ‘Disappearance’

Preah Vihear Authorities Should Urgently Produce Sum Moeun

Cambodian authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of a land activist forcibly disappeared in Preah Vihear province, Human Rights Watch said on March 20, 2019.

Saudi Arabia: Abusive Charges Against Women Activists

‘Criminal’ Contacts with Journalists, Diplomats, Rights Groups

Saudi Arabia’s charges against women’s rights defenders appear almost entirely related to their human rights activities, Human Rights Watch said on March 21, 2019. Saudi Arabia opened individual trials on March 13, 2019 of 11 activists, most of them prominent women’s rights advocates detained beginning in May 2018. Saudi Arabia should immediately release all human rights activists detained merely for their rights advocacy, Human Rights Watch said.

Myanmar: Women, Girls Trafficked as ‘Brides’ to China

Government Inaction, Conflict, China’s ‘Gender Gap’ Fuel Sexual Slavery

The Myanmar and Chinese governments have failed to stem the trafficking of ethnic Kachin women and girls as “brides” to families in China, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on March 21, 2019.

Tajikistan: Release Gravely Ill Activist

Political Prisoner Says Guards Beat Him, Refused Him Medicine

The Tajik government should immediately and unconditionally release a seriously ill political activist who says he has been tortured, nine human rights groups said on March 20, 2019. The prisoner, Mahmadali Hayit, is deputy head of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), the country’s largest opposition party, which was banned by the government in late 2015.

Japan: Compelled Sterilization of Transgender People

Reform Legal Procedure for Gender Recognition

Japan’s government should stop forcing transgender people to be surgically sterilized if they want legal recognition of their gender identity, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on March 19, 2019. Requiring a medical intervention as a condition of having their gender identity legally recognized violates Japan’s human rights obligations and runs counter to international medical standards.

UN will do ‘utmost to prevent and mitigate any risk of violence’ in DR Congo, pledges Mission chief

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Gaza investigators call on Israel to review ‘rules of engagement’ as Gaza protest anniversary looms

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Protesters walking towards the Gaza separation fence, bordering Israel.The UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory presented its findings in Geneva on 28 February, 2019.

Egypt: Uncover Missing Politician’s Whereabouts

Authorities Responsible for Protecting Mostafa al-Nagar

Egyptian authorities should exert serious efforts to find and reveal the whereabouts of Mostafa al-Nagar, a former parliament member who has been missing for nearly five months, Human Rights Watch said on March 19, 2019.