Human Rights

Syria: UN envoy condemns death of at least 70 civilians in Aleppo

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Boys play on the streets of Aleppo, capital of the north-western Aleppo Governorate, Syria.

Burundi: Deadly Police Response to Protests

Investigate Deaths; Allow Peaceful Protest; Permit Radio Stations Back on Air

Burundian police have used excessive force in a crackdown on protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s election bid for a third term, Human Rights Watch said on May 29.

Eurobarometer: Nine out of 10 Europeans want EU to keep giving humanitarian aid

Public support for the European Union's humanitarian aid has gone up in spite of the economic crisis. Nine out of 10 citizens (90%) believe it is important for the EU to continue funding humanitarian aid, a rise of two percentage points since the previous survey in 2012. Almost as many, 85%, support humanitarian aid funding in spite of the economic crisis in Europe.

UN envoy urges restraint among all Burundian parties; heads to region for weekend summit on crisis

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Children at the Mahama camp in Rwanda, where 26,300 refugees from Burundi are now living. UNICEF is extremely concerned that children continue to be exposed to violence in Burundi.

37 Countries Start Process of Protecting Schools and Universities During Conflict

Thirty-seven countries on May 29, 2015, joined an international Safe Schools Declaration that commits them to protect education from attack. In situations of conflict, widespread attacks on schools and universities, their students and staff, as well as the use of school buildings by armed parties is denying education to many thousands of people – with devastating results for individuals and their communities, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) said.

Southeast Asia: Accounts from Rohingya Boat People

Denial of Rights in Burma, Bangladesh Lead to Trafficking and Dangerous Sea Voyages

Rohingya and other survivors of dangerous boat voyages from Burma and Bangladesh describe horrific treatment by unscrupulous smugglers and traffickers in Burma, and abuse and neglect aboard ships, Human Rights Watch said on May 27. A regional meeting scheduled on May 29, 2015, in Bangkok must find solutions to the so-called boat people exodus.

Gambia: Dozens Held Incommunicado, ‘Disappeared’

Reveal Whereabouts of People Arrested After December Coup Attempt

Gambian authorities have detained incommunicado, depriving them of all contact with the outside world, dozens of friends and relatives of people accused of involvement in a coup attempt since January 2015, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said on May 27. Those detained include women, elderly people, and a child, and many are believed to be in ill-health.

Libya: Civilians Trapped in Benghazi

Allow Safe Passage, Aid Access

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Downtown area of Benghazi, Libya where forces loyal to the Libyan Army are fighting Islamist militias, April 2015.

Victory: Photo Hobbyist Prevails Over Junk-Patent Bully

Garfum Abandons Case Against ‘Vote-For-Your-Favorite’ Online Competitions

Patent bully Garfum has abandoned its lawsuit against an online photo hobbyist, just one day after a federal judge set the date for a face-off in court against lawyers for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

Libya: UN condemns string of suicide attacks, urges continued political dialogue

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Civilians walk along Tripoli Street in Misrata, Libya.