Human Rights

Syria: Mazen Darwish Released

Drop Charges Against Him, Release Other Peaceful Activists

Fourteen international organisations have joined the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) in welcoming the release of its president Mazen Darwish and in calling for all charges against him and his colleagues to be dropped, as well as for the release of all other prisoners of conscience who remain detained by the Syrian authorities.

SADC: Take Concrete Steps to Improve Rights

Poor Record in Several Member States

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) should take concrete steps to improve respect for human rights among member states and strengthen regional human rights institutions, Human Rights Watch said on August 16. Heads of state of the SADC’s 15 members will meet on August 17 and 18, 2015, in Gaborone, Botswana, for their 35th summit.

"Even the Hills Couldn't Save Us" - Escape From Nigeria

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Minawao refugee camp, northern Cameroon. It is the largest formal refugee camp in the region for Nigerian asylum-seekers.

OSCE organizes study visit of Turkmenistan officials to United States on freedom of religion and belief

High-level officials from Turkmenistan discussed the implementation of international standards on freedom of religion and belief during an OSCE-supported week-long study visit to the United States, which concluded in Washington D.C. on 14 August.

Reported rape of a young girl in the Central African Republic

Statement by Executive Director Anthony Lake

“Our UNICEF colleagues in the Central African Republic met with the young girl reportedly raped by a UN police officer. While respecting the integrity of the investigation into the incident, it is clear that this child has endured a most brutal ordeal.

UN mission condemns ISIL attacks in Sirte, urges Libyans to unite against terrorism

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The streets of Sirte were the most heavily damaged after a nine-month war in 2011.

UN human rights office warns Burundi crisis ‘spiralling out of control’

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People demonstrate in Bujumbura against a decision by Burundi’s ruling party to nominate President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third term (April 2015).

"A European Response to Migration: Showing solidarity and sharing responsibility"

There is no simple, nor single, answer to the challenges posed by migration. And nor can any Member State effectively address migration alone. It is clear that we need this new, more European approach.

Sri Lanka: Ensure Safe, Secure, Free Polls

All Parties Should Keep Violence, Intimidation Out of Elections

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Polling officers carrying ballot boxes walk with a police officer as they prepare to go to their polling centers ahead of presidential election in Colombo on January 7, 2015.

Europe’s Refugee Crisis – Has UK Forgotten the Past?

Isaac Levine arrived in the UK from Lithuania as a 17-year-old in 1894. Manfred Gorlin left his home in Nazi-controlled Danzig (now in Poland) and arrived in 1939. As the grandchildren of Jews who found refuge from persecution in the UK, we watch the debate on asylum seekers and migrants and wonder: would they have been welcomed in today’s Britain?