Human Rights

Iran Ups Pressure on Female Activists

Since 2005, Iran’s government has cracked down on activists – particularly those who press for women’s rights and speak out against discriminatory laws. Repression only worsened in the wake of the contested 2009 presidential elections.

Gays Targets for Violence in Cameroon

Criminalization of Homosexuality Leads to Abuses in Homes, Community

The Cameroonian police arrested Christian, accusing him of being gay: “On our way to the police station, the police officers insulted us and they beat us with batons on our heads and bodies.

AFGHANISTAN: NGOs under pressure in government anti-corruption drive

The recent ban on around 150 NGOs - almost all of them local NGOs - for flouting reporting procedures is believed to be an Afghan government attempt to demonstrate it is taking action against corruption, aid workers say.

Promises to protect women from unsafe abortions must be kept, UN-backed forum told

More needs to be done to protect women from the dangers of unsafe abortions, a United Nations official told a forum in Ghana that is examining the extent of the problem in Africa, where some 5.5 million unsafe abortions are performed annually.

GENDER: Sexual violence used to "break the will" of civilians

Modern war is often not about soldier against soldier, but a struggle to "break the will of civilians - women, girls, men and boys" by whatever means possible - including rape - the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population 2010 report published on 20 October states.

Tax Officer Encourages College Students Acting as Whistle-blowers

2010 UN Human Rights Council

Ms. Lin, Chung Yuan, Chief of Taipei Tax Administration, stated in her speech in a university campus to encourage college students to act as whistleblowers to receive rewards for reporting tax evasions to Tax Administration of amount up to NT$ 480million (approx. US$155,000). The controversial video from YouTube about her speech has brought wide attention and even been discussed in NGO workshops during the 2010 UN Human Rights Council.

Taiwanese People Seeking Help from the International Community

The Tai Ji Men unjust tax case is presented at the 15th session of the UN Human Rights Council, seeking the human rights protection and call on government to abide Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Geneva, Switzerland.

Since 1971, Taiwan's seat in the United Nations has been replaced by P.R.C. This has resulted in a difficult situation for the Taiwan government to have formal status to participate in many international affairs. However, in the 15th session of the UN Human Rights Council, it is surprised to hear the voices from Taiwanese people seeking supports from the international community to help Taiwanese people free up from the abuse of the government power.

Abuse Allegations at Classified U.S. Site in Afghanistan

Report Calls On Obama Administration to Investigate Inhumane Treatment

Former detainees held at a classified detention facility in Afghanistan claim mistreatment by U.S. military, the Open Society Foundations said in a report released today. The accounts by Afghans—who refer to the site as “Tor Jail” or “Black Jail”—are not in accordance with U.S. detention rules.

SECURITY COUNCIL VOTES TO KEEP UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN HAITI FOR ANOTHER YEAR

The Security Council today voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti until 15 October 2011, while underlining the significance of next month’s presidential and legislative polls in laying the foundation for a stable political environment in the impoverished Caribbean nation.

SRI LANKA: Crisis Group refuses to appear before flawed Commission

A Statement and joint letter from the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International

In a joint letter, the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have declined the invitation of Sri Lanka's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) to appear before it. The Sri Lankan government is promoting the Commission as an independent mechanism for reconciliation and restorative justice after its decades-long civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), yet the Commission fails to meet basic standards and is fatally flawed in structure and practice.