Philippines: Duterte Threatens Human Rights Community
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for police to shoot human rights activists who are “obstructing justice” places all members of the country’s human rights community in grave danger, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 17. On August 16, 2017,...
'Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism or Islamophobia are poisoning our societies' – UN chief
Secretary-General António Guterres speaks to journalists at a press encounter.
Iran: Raising the Death Penalty Bar
The Iranian parliament on August 13, 2017, approved a long-awaited amendment to the country’s drug law that significantly raises the bar for a mandatory death sentence, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 15. The amendment, which the parliamentary...
Groundbreaking Mercury Treaty Takes Effect
The United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury, which went into effect on August 16, 2017, could benefit millions of people affected by toxic mercury, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 15. Under the treaty, governments are obligated to protect their...
Thailand: Drop Bogus Charges Against Thai Studies Academics
Thai authorities should immediately drop charges against a prominent academic and four conference participants for violating the military junta’s ban on public assembly at a conference at Chiang Mai University in July 2017, Human Rights Watch said on...
UN rights chief urges Kenyan leaders to act responsibly, avoid further violence
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Uzbekistan: UN Staffer Free After 11 Years
Erkin Musaev, a United Nations employee and former government official, tortured and unjustly jailed for 11 years in Uzbekistan, was finally freed on August 11, 2017, according to his family, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 14. Musaev had been...
Egypt: Detained Journalist’s Health Deteriorating
Egyptian authorities should immediately provide appropriate health care to the imprisoned journalist Hisham Gaafar, whose health, including his eyesight, is deteriorating in detention, Human Rights Watch said on August 14. If prison authorities are...
Saudi Arabia: Security Forces Seal Off Eastern Town
Saudi security forces have surrounded and sealed off the predominantly Shia town of Awamiya in July 2017 as they confronted an armed group hiding in a historic neighborhood slated for demolition, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 13.
Kenya: Police Restraint Critical
Kenyan security forces should exercise restraint in the face of protests that take place in response to election results, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 12. In any situations where security force personnel use force, they should take care to ensure...
