Thailand: Activist Unjustly Jailed for ‘Insulting Monarchy’
Thai authorities should immediately release a prominent pro-democracy activist charged for a Facebook posting under laws intended to protect Thailand’s monarchy, Human Rights Watch said on Jan 22. Jatupat (Pai) Boonphatthararaksa faces up to 15 years...
Russia: Bill to Decriminalize Domestic Violence
A draft law pending in Russia’s parliament would seriously weaken protections against domestic violence, Human Rights Watch said on Jan 23. Parliament should reject the law as dangerous and incompatible with Russia’s international human rights...
US: Reject Pompeo for CIA Director
United States Senators should vote against the confirmation of Rep. Mike Pompeo as director of the Central Intelligence Agency due to overriding concerns that he would use the agency’s surveillance and other powers in ways likely to violate rights on...
Plenary highlights: new president, workers' rights, emergency aid for refugees
US: Dawn of Dangerous New Era
Donald Trump takes office having vowed to enact policies that would threaten rights at home and abroad if actually implemented, Human Rights Watch said on Jan 20. Human rights advocates, elected officials, and members of the public should press the...
Croatia: Asylum Seekers Forced Back to Serbia
Croatian police are forcing asylum seekers back to Serbia from inside Croatia, in some cases using violence, without giving them an opportunity to lodge claims for protection, Human Rights Watch said on Jan 20.
Human rights: Indonesia, Central African Republic and Burundi
Parliament condemns growing intolerance towards ethnic, religious and sexual minorities in Indonesia, attacks against peacekeepers in Central African Republic and breaches of human rights in Burundi, in three resolutions voted on Thursday.
Nigeria: Satellite Imagery Shows Strikes on Settlement
Nigerian authorities should conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the January 17, 2017 airstrikes that hit a settlement for displaced people who had fled Boko Haram, killing at least 70 people, including nine aid workers, and...
Tunisia: Amend Draft Drug Law
Tunisia’s parliament should amend the draft drug law currently before it to strengthen its human rights provisions, Human Rights Watch, Avocats sans Frontières, and the Tunisian League for Human Rights said in a joint letter to parliament on Jan 19....
Burundi: Attacks by Ruling Party Youth League Members
Members of the Burundi ruling party’s youth league, the Imbonerakure, have brutally killed, tortured, and severely beaten scores of people across the country in recent months, Human Rights Watch said on Jan 19. The killings and other ill-treatment...
