Human Rights

Law meant for spies is being used against whistle blowers?

Whistleblowers from the US and the EU recounted the problems they faced in trying to expose what they believed to be wrongdoing in the organisations they worked for, testifying this week at a hearing of PACE’s Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee.

Professor Sues University of Illinois Over Firing for “Uncivil” Gaza Tweets

Trustees, Chancellor, President, and Donors Targets of Suit

A professor who was fired from a tenured position at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign because of his tweets criticizing the Israeli government’s bombing of Gaza last year has filed a civil rights suit against the University and its top officials, saying that his firing violated his First Amendment right to free speech and other constitutional rights, and basic principles of academic freedom.

Battle Over Google Subpoena Threatens Critical Online Free Speech Protections

U.S. Federal Law Blocks Extraordinary and Burdensome Subpoena

A high-profile battle over whether Google must respond to an unusual and dangerous subpoena raises fundamental concerns about federal free speech law and the protections it affords hosts of online content, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) argued in an amicus brief filed on January 30.

UNICEF launches US$3.1 billion appeal to reach more children in emergencies

Over 60 million children at risk in "new generation" of crises

UNICEF is launching a US$3.1 billion appeal – its largest ever – to reach 62 million children at risk in humanitarian crises worldwide – a US$1 billion jump in funding needs since last year’s appeal.

Egypt: Video Shows Police Shot Woman at Protest

Ensure Credible, Impartial Investigation

Photographs, videos, and witness statements strongly indicate that a member of Egypt’s security forces was responsible for fatally shooting a female protester in a downtown Cairo square on January 24, 2015, Human Rights Watch said on 1 February.

At African Union Summit, Ban promises UN support to build back Ebola-hit countries

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A construction crew at work in Kankan, Guinea, as part of UNDP’s efforts to ensure early recovery from the Ebola outbreak

UN relief agencies in Ukraine urge full access to affected populations in country's east

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Even as global attention fades, the humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine is deteriorating.

World Report 2015: Rights Aren’t Wrong in Tough Times

Human Rights a Path Out of Crisis and Chaos

Governments make a big mistake when they ignore human rights to counter serious security challenges, Human Rights Watch said on 30 January in releasing its annual world report.

Thailand: Human Rights in Free Fall

No End in Sight for Martial Law Repression and Censorship

Thailand’s military government has severely repressed fundamental rights and freedoms since the May 22, 2014 coup, Human Rights Watch said on 29 January in its World Report 2015. In response to calls from the United Nations and many concerned governments to respect rights and transition to a civilian government, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has vaguely promised elections but has taken no steps to restore genuine democratic rule.

Giovanni Buttarelli: "The EU has to make existing data protection rights more effective"

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Data Protection Supervisor, Giovanni Buttarelli