Human Rights

Conflict minerals: MEPs secure mandatory due diligence for importers

All but the smallest EU firms importing tin, tungsten, tantalum, gold and their ores will have to do "due diligence" checks on their suppliers, to stop this trade being used to help fund conflicts and human rights abuses, says a political understanding reached by MEPs, ministers and the EU Commission on Wednesday. Due diligence will also be mandatory for smelters and refiners. The EU Commission will press big manufacturers to disclose details of products that might contain conflict minerals.

Bahrain: Order to Dissolve Key Opposition Group

Leading Activist Detained

Bahraini authorities said on June 14, 2016, that they intend to dissolve Al Wifaq, the country’s main opposition group. On June 13, Bahrain authorities detained Nabeel Rajab, a prominent human rights activist on charges that relate solely to his peaceful criticism of the authorities.

US: CIA Torture Revelations

Newly Released Documents Show Need for Accountability

The recent release of documents related to the US Central Intelligence Agency’s detention and interrogation program provide excruciating new details about CIA torture, Human Rights Watch said. On June 16, 2016, Human Rights Watch sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to provide greater accountability for CIA abuses before the end of his term in office.

UN rights experts urge India to repeal law restricting civil society access to foreign funding

11-04-2015Rights_Defender_0_0.jpg
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Michel Forst.

UN human rights panel concludes ISIL is committing genocide against Yazidis

06-16-2016Yazidis_0_0.jpg
Yazidi refugees, including several children, go about their lives in Nawrouz refugee camp, approximately 40 kilometres from the Syrian border with Iraq.

Ethiopia: Protest Crackdown Killed Hundreds

Free Wrongfully Held Detainees, Independent Inquiry Needed

Ethiopian security forces have killed more than 400 protesters and others, and arrested tens of thousands more during widespread protests in the Oromia region since November 2015. The Ethiopian government should urgently support a credible, independent investigation into the killings, arbitrary arrests, and other abuses.

Pakistan: Prosecute Rampant ‘Honor’ Killings

Revise and Enforce Laws to End Barbaric Practice

Pakistan’s government should urgently investigate and prosecute those responsible for the recent jump in reported “honor” killings in the country, Human Rights Watch said on 14 June. The government needs to send a message of zero tolerance.

Marking World Day, UN stresses need for coherent policies to end child labour

06-15-fao-child-labour_1_0.jpg
Child labour on family farms should be addressed in an appropriate and context-sensitive way that respects local values and family circumstances.

Human rights: opposition in Cambodia, prisoners of conscience in Tajikistan, continuing violations of human rights in Vietnam

Parliament deplores the worsening climate for opposition politicians and human rights activists in Cambodia, calls on Tajikistan to allow opposition groups, lawyers and journalists to operate freely, and urges Vietnam to put an immediate end to all harassment, intimidation, and persecution of political activists, journalists, bloggers, dissidents and human rights defenders, in three resolutions voted on 9 June (Thursday).

Syria: UN agencies reach families with food in the besieged town of Darayya

wfp-darayya-web_0.jpg
On 9 June 2016, WFP and partners delivered food for 2,400 women, children and men in besieged Darayya.