Human Rights

UNESCO Director-General deplores deaths of three Egyptian journalists

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova denounced the deaths of reporter Ahmed Abdel Gawad and photographer Mosab Al-Shami in Cairo in August 14, and journalist Tamer Abdel Raouf, at Damanhur in the north of Egypt on 19 August. The Director-General called for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the three killings.

Alternatives to immigration detention prove cheaper, more humane

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Detaining migrants is costly and detrimental to their health.

DR Congo: Ban condemns attacks on civilians, calls on parties to pursue political process

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UN peacekeepers escort surrendered M23 fighters in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Israel: Bedouin Facing Mass Evictions From Their Land

Draft Law Threatens Stepped-Up Demolition of Longstanding Villages

The Israeli government should announce an immediate moratorium on demolitions of “illegal” homes of Bedouin citizens. The government demolishes Bedouin homes based on discriminatory laws and rules, and without respect for the Bedouins’ dignity or the country’s human rights obligations.

Thailand: Still No Justice for ‘Disappearance’ Victims

2013 International Day of the Disappeared

Thai authorities have failed to honor past pledges to resolve cases of enforced disappearance and hold those responsible to account. August 30, 2013 is the International Day of the Disappeared.

DR Congo: Outspoken Lawmaker Gets 3-Year Sentence

Freedom of Expression, Peaceful Assembly under Attack

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo should immediately drop the apparently politically motivated case against a member of parliament. Muhindo Nzangi was sentenced to three years in prison over comments he made on a radio program in proceedings that did not meet international fair trial standards. His prosecution reflects a broader government crackdown on free expression in the country.

OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission for presidential election in Azerbaijan

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Azerbaijani citizens will vote at presidential elections on 9 October 2013.

Soco failed to assess human rights risks before Virunga exploration, paper alleges

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About 27,000 fishermen make their living in Virunga's Lake Edward, which is ground zero for Soco's oil exploration.

Thousands flee to Central African Republic airport to escape violence

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Children in the Central African Republic.

Statement on Possible Intervention in Syria

Following apparent chemical weapons attacks on August 21, 2013, in Eastern and Western Ghouta near Damascus, the United States, Britain, France, and other countries are assessing options for military intervention in Syria.