Human Rights

Singapore: Firms Told Not to Support LGBT Event

Government Presses Foreign Sponsors of PinkDot Festival

The government of Singapore should rescind its call for foreign corporations to cease sponsorship of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) diversity event, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the home affairs minister on June 21. The government’s June 2016 warning to companies that sponsor the PinkDot festival, an annual LGBT gathering, sends a discriminatory message contrary to basic rights and global business standards.

Kenya: Police Killings During Protests

Investigate Use of Excessive Force in Western Region

At least 5 people died and 60 were wounded by gunfire as police tried to obstruct two recent protests in Nyanza region. Kenyan authorities should promptly investigate police use of excessive force during the demonstrations, on May 23 and June 6, 2016, in the Nyanza region of Western Kenya, and bring anyone responsible to account.

Turkey: Rights Defenders, Journalists Jailed

New Crackdown Targets Activists for ‘Terrorism’

An academic and two journalists who have played a key role in Turkey’s human rights movement have been jailed pending investigation into spurious allegations of spreading terrorist propaganda. They should be released immediately and the investigation dropped.

Myanmar must address ‘serious’ human rights violations against minorities – UN rights chief

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An assessment team talks to displaced people in Pauktaw camp in rural Rakhine, Myanmar, where more than 20,000 Rohingya live.

US, Russia: Investigate Deadly New Attacks in Aleppo, Syria

Civilians Killed on Both Sides of the City

Deadly attacks on the city of Aleppo on June 4 and 5, 2016, are a test of the United States’ and Russia’s recent commitment to investigate attacks with significant civilian casualties in Syria. They should examine the attacks, which killed at least 32 civilians in opposition-held areas and at least 22 civilians in government-held areas.

On World Day, Ban declares era of impunity 'over' for sexual violence in war

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Students of a midwifery school in El Fasher, North Darfur, march against Gender Violence.

Bangladesh: Halt Mass Arbitrary Arrests

Carry Out Proper Investigations to Identify and Prosecute ‘Machete Attacks’

The Bangladeshi authorities should investigate attacks on secular writers, gay rights activists, and religious minorities, and identify and prosecute the perpetrators, but should immediately stop arbitrarily arresting people without proper evidence of a crime, Human Rights Watch said on JUNE 17, following the arrest of several thousand people in recent days.

China: Drop Cases Against Rights Lawyers

Xia Lin, Zhou Shifeng Face Politically Motivated Prosecutions

The Chinese authorities should immediately drop politically motivated cases and release Xia Lin, Zhou Shifeng, and other detained human rights lawyers, Human Rights Watch said on June 17.

Bangladesh: Halt Mass Arbitrary Arrests

Carry Out Proper Investigations to Identify and Prosecute ‘Machete Attacks’

The Bangladeshi authorities should investigate attacks on secular writers, gay rights activists, and religious minorities, and identify and prosecute the perpetrators, but should immediately stop arbitrarily arresting people without proper evidence of a crime, Human Rights Watch said on June 17, following the arrest of several thousand people in recent days.

China: Drop Cases Against Rights Lawyers

Xia Lin, Zhou Shifeng Face Politically Motivated Prosecutions

The Chinese authorities should immediately drop politically motivated cases and release Xia Lin, Zhou Shifeng, and other detained human rights lawyers, Human Rights Watch said on 16 June.