Human Rights

UN rights chief deplores Ukraine death toll one year after Russian invasion

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A mother in Bucha, Ukraine, buries her son whose body was found along with 450 others after soldiers retreated from the town.

Thousands of Refugee Students Cut off from Classes in Lebanon

University Cuts Ties with Organization that Criticized Decision

Thousands of Syrian refugee students in Lebanon are being cut off from classes, all, according to officials, in the name of “equality.”

In Memory of Venerable Master Hsing-Yun

Tai Ji Men Prays for the Propagation of the Teachings of Enlightened Masters and World Peace

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Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, center right, the leader of Tai Ji Men, led 60 representatives of Tai Ji Men dizi to pay tribute to Master Hsing Yun, and took a group photo with Deputy Abbot Hui Zhao, center left, at Fo Guang Shan.

Ukraine: New Light on Russia’s Rail Station Attack

Despite Denials, Research Confirms Russian Forces Had Weapons, Opportunity

Russia’s cluster munition strike on the crowded Kramatorsk train station in eastern Ukraine in April 2022 killed dozens of civilians in violation of the laws of war, and was an apparent war crime, Human Rights Watch and SITU Research said in a report and video released on February 21, 2023.

Russia: Political Prisoner Feared Forcibly Disappeared

Concerns for Andrey Pivovarov’s Well-being, Family

Russian authorities have refused for a month to provide information about the location of a political prisoner, Andrey Pivovarov, raising concerns that he has been forcibly disappeared, Human Rights Watch said on February 18, 2023.

Tunisia: UN rights chief concerned over crackdown on opposition

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Street scene in Tunisia.

WHO reveals one-third of prisoners in Europe suffer mental health disorders

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WHO reports that 32.8 per cent of European inmates have mental health disorders.

Thailand: Law on Torture, ‘Disappearance’ Delayed

Reverse Key Provisions Unjustifiably Put on Hold

The Thai government’s decision to delay enforcement of key provisions of the new torture and enforced disappearance law should be immediately reversed, Human Rights Watch said on February 15, 2023.

Uganda Threatens to Close UN Human Rights Office

Decision to End Mandate Comes Amid Broader Crackdown on Rights Groups

The Ugandan government should immediately reverse its decision to end the mandate of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Uganda, Human Rights Watch said on February 15, 2023. On February 6, 2023, Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry informed the OHCHR Uganda country office that it would not renew its agreement to host the UN entity beyond its current three-year term ending in February 2023.

US: New Policy on Autonomous Weapons Flawed

National Policy, New Law Needed to Address Grave Dangers

A new United States Department of Defense directive concerning development of autonomous weapons systems is an inadequate response to the threats posed by removing human control from the use of force, Human Rights Watch said in a report issued on February 14, 2023. Instead of creating adequate controls on the development of these weapons, the directive could facilitate it.