Human Rights | WPN World People News

Protesters in La Castellana, a neighborhood in eastern Caracas.

International backers of negotiations to end the conflict in Syria should ensure that any transitional process includes a robust independent body to investigate thousands of “disappeared,” Human Rights Watch said on Aug 29. The United Nations designated August 30 as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances to raise awareness about enforced disappearances around the world.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) should prioritize victims’ views and wishes when it comes to choosing lawyers to represent them in the courtroom, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Aug 29.

Teachers from Moldovan vocational schools acquire skills to promote gender equality values in their work, Chisinau, 23 August 2017.

The simple biological fact of menstruation shouldn’t be a barrier to gender equality or stymie women’s and girls’ realization of their human rights, Human Rights Watch and WASH United said on Aug 27. The organizations released a guide for aid and development groups and others who work with women and girls to address human rights in menstrual hygiene in their programming.

Kenya’s presidential election on August 8, 2017 was marred by serious human rights violations, including unlawful killings and beatings by police during protests and house-to-house operations in western Kenya, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 27. At least 12 people were killed and over 100 badly injured.

Azerbaijani authorities have jailed Mehman Aliyev, the director of the country’s last remaining independent media outlet, filing charges on alleged tax and other offenses against him in retaliation for his journalism, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 25. The authorities should drop the criminal charges against Aliyev and immediately free him.

Police used violence and water cannons to evict a group of squatters, predominantly refugees, in Rome on August 24, 2017, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 25. The Italian authorities should conduct a serious and transparent investigation into the use of force by police. Hundreds of people who had been living in the building on the Piazza Indipendenza urgently need alternative accommodation.

The Cambodian government should end its escalating campaign of politically-motivated harassment, intimidation, and legal action against the media, nongovernmental groups, and human rights defenders, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 25.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir on August 23, urged Secretary General of Interpol Jürgen Stock that the international police organization carefully review recent international arrest warrants requested by Turkey.