Human Rights

UK leads the charge in eradicating modern slavery

The Secretary of State for International Development Penny Mordaunt announced new protections for vulnerable children at risk of falling prey to traffickers.

A new programme supporting Pakistan tackle child labour, has been launched by the UK government. The AAWAZ II programme, which has been launched by the UK’s Department for International Development, will enable communities and support stronger government institutions in Pakistan so that they can better protect vulnerable groups.

Child sexual abuse and exploitation: UN event sheds light on the unthinkable

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An 18-year-old girl at a centre for abused and trafficked children in Almaty city, Kazakhstan.

Guinea: Bauxite Mining Boom Threatens Rights

Drive for Revenue Shouldn’t Come at Local Residents’ Expense

Guinea’s fast-growing bauxite mining industry is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of Guineans, Human Rights Watch said in a report released October 4, 2018. Mining has destroyed ancestral farmlands, damaged water sources and coated homes and trees in dust.

Eritrea: Diplomacy Changes, but Political Prisoners Remain

Former High Official Arrested

The recent arrest of Eritrea’s former finance minister is a troubling sign that repressive tactics continue despite changes in Eritrea’s diplomatic engagements. Human Rights Watch released a video about Eritrean political prisoners including 21 senior government officials and journalists detained in 2001 after they criticized President Isaias Afewerki.

Egypt: Enforced Disappearance of Prominent Rights Defender

Immediately Release Lawyer Ezzat Ghoneim

Egyptian police have forcibly disappeared a prominent human rights defender and lawyer, Ezzat Ghoneim, Human Rights Watch said on October 03. Ghoneim has been in custody since March 2018, and his release was ordered by a court on September 4.

Lebanon: Discriminatory Nationality Law

Grant Lebanese Women’s Children, Spouses Citizenship Rights

Lebanon should amend an outdated nationality law to ensure that children and spouses of Lebanese women have the same right to citizenship as those of Lebanese men, Human Rights Watch said on October 03.

European Union and United Nations join forces to end femicide in Latin America under the Spotlight Initiative

The European Union and the United Nations are announcing today a €50 million financial contribution to end femicide in Latin America.

With the €50 million investment, the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative will fund new and innovative programmes in Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, to help women and girls live lives free from violence and to eradicate femicide in Latin America.

India: Top Court OK’s Biometric ID Program

Under Aadhaar, Assure Access to Services; Enact Data Protection Law

India’s Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the biometric identification project, Aadhaar, on September 26, 2018, Human Rights Watch said on September 27, 2018.

Australia Needs to Guarantee Military Exports are Not Used in Unlawful Attacks in Yemen: Joint NGO Letter

The Australian government must ensure that its military exports are not contributing to violations of international law by the warring parties in Yemen, Save the Children, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch said in a joint letter to the Australian ministers of foreign affairs and defence on September 28, 2018.

UN hails Human Rights Declaration as tool for conflict and poverty prevention

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Young children read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at a playground.