Human Rights

Nigeria: Crackdown on Police Brutality Protests

Prosecute Officers Responsible; Move Toward Systemic Reform

Nigerian security forces have responded to overwhelmingly peaceful protests against police brutality with more violence and abuse.

Thailand: Emergency Decree Pretext for Crackdown

Drop Charges, Release Democracy Activists

The Thai government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok is a pretext for a crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, Human Rights Watch said on October 15, 2020. Since the declaration of a state of emergency on October 15, 2020, the police have arrested at least 22 activists, including several protest leaders, in front of Bangkok’s Government House.

Indonesia: New Law Hurts Workers, Indigenous Groups

Massive Omnibus Bill Passed With Little Public Consultation

Indonesia’s government should revise a new jobs law to meet international human rights standards, Human Rights Watch said on October 15, 2020. The omnibus bill on job creation, which the House of Representatives passed on October 5, 2020, restricts labor rights and dismantles environmental protections, including by threatening Indigenous people’s access to land and the country’s declining rainforests.

Algeria: Mass Convictions for Homosexuality

Arbitrary Arrests; Police Raid Alleged ‘Gay Wedding’

An Algerian court on September 3, 2020 sentenced 2 men to prison terms and 42 others to suspended terms after mass arrests at what the police alleged was a “gay wedding,” Human Rights Watch said on October 15, 2020. The authorities should void the charges and release them immediately.

New report highlights value of UN’s human rights work in the field

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UN human rights investigators accompanied by peacekeepers from the UN mission in Mali, MINUSMA, meet villagers in central Mali after their homes were attacked in February 2019.

India: Women at Risk of Sexual Abuse at Work

Poorly Enforced Laws Leave Informal Workers No Recourse

The Indian government’s failure to properly enforce its sexual harassment law leaves millions of women in the workplace exposed to abuse without remedy, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on October 14, 2020. The government should urgently ensure compliance with its 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, or POSH Act as it is popularly known.

Thailand: Over 20 Democracy Activists Arrested

Police Forcibly Disperse Peaceful Protest in Bangkok

The Thai authorities should immediately drop all charges and unconditionally release democracy activists arrested for peacefully protesting in Bangkok on October 13, 2020, Human Rights Watch said on October 13, 2020.

Greater equality a ‘prerequisite’ for overcoming global crises: Bachelet

In reviewing, assessing and acknowledging the effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, enslavement and colonialism, the groundbreaking Durban World Conference of 2001, represented a “milestone” in the common fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, the UN human rights chief said on Monday.

Turkey: Turkmen Activist Faces Deportation

Dursoltan Taganova Risks Arbitrary Detention, Torture if Returned Home

The Turkish government should halt plans to deport the Turkmen activist Dursoltan Taganova to Turkmenistan, where she will be at grave risk of arbitrary arrest and torture, a group of 11 human rights organizations said on October 12, 2020. Turkish authorities should immediately release Taganova from custody.

UN: Deny Rights Council Seats to Major Violators

GeneralAssembly Members Should Not Vote for China, Saudi Arabia

United Nations member countries should not vote for China and Saudi Arabia, two of the world’s most abusive governments, for seats on the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Watch said on October 08, 2020. Russia’s numerous war crimes in Syria’s armed conflict makes it another highly problematic candidate.