Human Rights

Libya/Tunisia: Presumed Death of Missing Journalists

Tunisian Reporter, Cameraman Not Seen Since September

Officials from the internationally recognized Libyan government said in a statement on April 29, 2015, that two Tunisian journalists who had been missing in eastern Libya since September 2014 had been killed.

Thailand: Mass Graves of Rohingya Found in Trafficking Camp

Independent Investigation Needed to Determine Facts, Prosecute Traffickers

The discovery of more than 30 bodies in a human trafficking camp should prompt Thai authorities to authorize an independent, United Nations-assisted investigation, commit to publish its findings, and bring those responsible to justice, including any government officials involved, Human Rights Watch said on 1 May, 2015. The UN and others, including the United States, that have called for an end to trafficking in Thailand should urgently press the government to end official complicity and willful blindness in rampant trafficking in the country.

Outgoing UN rights expert advises Cambodian leaders to address democratic deficit

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UN expert on human rights in Cambodia Surya Subedi (right) on a visit to the country in May 2012.

Turkey: End Prosecutions for Insulting the President

Government Pursues Critics in Pre-Election Period

A Turkish court on April 29, 2015, released from prison a lawyer facing trial for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, but he should not be facing such charges in the first place, Human Rights Watch said on 29 April.

Australia: Stop Transfers to Cambodia

Phnom Penh Has Low Capacity, Poor Record on Refugees, Asylum Seekers

Australia should withdraw plans to send refugees from Nauru to Cambodia in the face of continuing abuses against those already in Cambodia, Human Rights Watch said on 29 April. Cambodia should reject its deal with Australia and focus on providing proper protections to the refugees and asylum seekers already on its soil.

Sudan: Surge in Detention, Beatings, Around Elections

Free Those Held Arbitrarily; Investigate Abuses

Security forces in Sudan arrested dozens of opposition party members, students, and political activists, in the lead up to, during, and after national elections, April 13 to 16, 2015.

Iran: Sweeping Arrests of Ahwazi Arab Activists

Whereabouts Unknown for More Than 75 Held After Protests

Iran’s intelligence and security forces have rounded up and detained scores of Ahwazi Arabs, including several children, in what appears to be an escalating crackdown in Iran’s Khuzestan province, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said on 29 April, 2015.

Burundi: Crackdown on Protesters

Government Lashes Out Amid Rising Protests

The Burundian government is cracking down on activists, journalists, and demonstrators following protests over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third term.

Croatia: UN Calls for Critical Disability Rights Reforms

Government Should Expand Efforts to Transition People from Institutions to the Community

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Restrains on a bed in a seclusion room in Lopača Psychiatric Hospital, in southwest Croatia. There are no official guidelines on the use of restraints in Croatia, allowing for broad discretion on the use of physical and chemical restraints and seclusion by healthcare staff in psychiatric hospitals.

World Press Freedom Day 2015: Let Journalism Thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality and media safety in the digital age

UNESCO will celebrate World Press Freedom Day in Riga, Latvia, this year with a two-day conference and the awarding of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. The conference in Riga will be held from 2 to 4 May while national celebrations will take place in about 100 countries around the world.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein have issued a joint statement for World Press Freedom Day declaring that: “Quality journalism enables citizens to make informed decisions about their society’s development.