Human Rights | WPN World People News

On December 2, New York State released Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Blacklist of institutions that participate in Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) in support of Palestinian human rights. Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order in June calling for the Blacklist and ordering all state agencies to cut financial ties with blacklisted institutions. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq has placed disproportionate restrictions on the movement of goods into and out of the district of Sinjar, the center for Iraq’s Yezidi religious minority.

Faced with record displacement due to conflict, the United Nations has moved to reinforce the global refugee protection regime by issuing new guidelines on dealing with people fleeing their country because of war, who are not recognized as refugees by some States.

Gambian authorities should respect the rights of Gambians to peacefully express their views on the outcome of the December 1, 2016 presidential election. Prior to the vote, incumbent President Yahya Jammeh warned that protests against the election would not be permitted and the government blocked internet communications and international calls.

Gambian authorities should respect the rights of Gambians to peacefully express their views on the outcome of the December 1, 2016 presidential election. Prior to the vote, incumbent President Yahya Jammeh warned that protests against the election would not be permitted and the government blocked internet communications and international calls.

The Philippine House of Representatives should reject a proposal to reinstate the death penalty, Human Rights Watch said on Dec 03. On November 29, 2016, the Judicial Reforms Subcommittee approved Congress House Bill No. 1 (Death Penalty Law), which would reinstate capital punishment for “heinous crimes,” including murder, piracy, and the trafficking and possession of illegal drugs. A house vote on the bill is likely before the end of 2016.

There are still over 11 million women in slavery around the world. We need to take action and #EndSlaveryNow!

European Union member states should ensure that a new effort to standardize counterterrorism laws does not undermine fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, a group of international human rights organizations said on November 30.

The Cambodian Supreme Court’s decision to refuse bail to five detained human rights defenders is part of the government’s persecution of Cambodia’s rights groups, Human Rights Watch said. On November 30, 2016, the court upheld pretrial detention for four current and one former member of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), in violation of their due process rights under international law.

Cuban authorities should order the immediate release of Danilo Maldonado Machado, the graffiti artist known as “El Sexto,” Human Rights Watch said on November 30. Police arrested him after he posted a video of himself celebrating Fidel Castro’s death on social media.