Human Rights

First Person: Why indigenous peoples can help save the planet

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Naw Ei Ei Min, Executive Council Member of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact.

EU: Major Step For ‘Deforestation-Free’ Trade

Companies Required to Respect Environment, Human Rights in Supply Chain

The European Union is adopting an important new law to require EU-based companies to ensure that their imports and exports are “deforestation-free” and uphold human rights, Human Rights Watch said on April 19, 2023. The law establishes the legal requirements for European businesses regarding biodiversity loss and human rights abuses embedded in their international supply chains.

Australia: Press Vietnam on Poor Rights Record

Use Bilateral Dialogue for Serious Engagement on Free Speech, Political Prisoners

The Australian government should press Vietnam’s leadership to end its systemic human rights violations at the upcoming dialogue between the two countries, Human Rights Watch said on April 20, 2023. The Australia-Vietnam 18th bilateral human rights dialogue is scheduled for April 24-25, 2023, in Hanoi.

Tai Ji Men Case Discussed at ANU Religion Conference 2023

The Tai Ji Men Case: A Landmark Case of Serious Human Rights Violations in Taiwan

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During the conference on religion at the Australian National University, Tai Ji Men dizi (disciples) and members of the Federation of World Peace and Love enthusiastically exchanged ideas with scholars from different parts of the world.

Yemen: UN envoy welcomes mass prisoner release, urges push for political solution to war

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The Al Gahmalyya neighbourhood in Taiz City, Yemen, has been severely damaged as a result of years of conflict.

Indonesia: Activists on Trial for Criminal Defamation

Drop Charges Against Rights Defenders Who Criticized Military Role in Papua

Indonesian authorities should drop the criminal defamation charges against two prominent human rights defenders in Jakarta, Human Rights Watch said on April 14, 2023. On April 3, 2023, the East Jakarta district court began the trial of Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti based on a complaint filed by Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, a coordinating minister in President Joko Widodo’s cabinet, in August 2021.

Russia: Sentencing for Prominent Kremlin Critic

Free Vladimir Kara-Murza; Vacate Brazenly Unjust Charges

Moscow City Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict on April 17, 2023 in the criminal trial against the prominent Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, Human Rights Watch said on April 14, 2023. Russian authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Kara-Murza, who has been arbitrarily detained for the past year, as well as other peaceful civic and political activists arbitrarily detained in Russia.

UN independent experts spotlight ‘prima facie war crime’ in East Jerusalem

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A market in Jerusalem.

Saudi Arabia: Microsoft Should Hold Off On Data Center

Regional Cloud Expansion Risks Furthering Privacy Rights Abuses

Microsoft should suspend its investment in a new cloud data center region in Saudi Arabia until it can clearly demonstrate how it will mitigate the risk of facilitating serious human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said on April 13, 2023.

Thailand: Myanmar Activists Forcibly Returned

Thai Government Aids Junta’s Persecution of Opposition

Thai immigration officials forcibly returned three Myanmar opposition activists to Myanmar, putting them at grave risk of persecution and other abuses, Human Rights Watch said on April 12, 2023. Myanmar junta authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of the activists – Thiha, 38, Htet Nay Win, 31, and Saw Phyo Lay, 26 – and any charges against them.