Human rights are a litmus test for EU-Iran relations, say foreign affairs MEPs
After the nuclear deal with Iran there is room to develop EU-Iran relations, but not at the expense of human rights, said Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs in Tuesday’s debate with Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Ways to end...
Morocco: Tepid Response on Domestic Violence
Moroccan police, prosecutors, judges, and other authorities often fail to prevent domestic abuse, punish the abusers, or assist survivors, Human Rights Watch said on February 15 in a letter to the Moroccan government. In part, that is because Moroccan...
Palestine: Torture, Death of Hamas Detainee
Hamas authorities in Gaza should investigate their military wing for the apparent torture and execution of Mahmoud Eshtewi. Eshtewi, a member of that military wing, was detained in secret locations for over a year.
Kenya: Unending Toll for Rape Survivors
Fatma W. with her 7-year-old son born from rape. Fatma was 17 when she was gang raped at their home in Nairobi by...
Iran: Arrest Shows Peril for Dual Nationals
The Iranian authorities’ arrest of a former BBC reporter on February 3, 2016, shows the risk dual nationals face if they choose to live in Iran. The family of Bahman Daroshafahi, who has been working as a translator, has not been able to find out...
UNHCR concerned over increasing restrictive measures, urges effective comprehensive European response
Over 80,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe by boat during the first six weeks of 2016 and over 400 have died trying to cross. Despite rougher seas, harsh winter weather, and numerous hardships endured upon arrival, over 2,000 people a day...
OSCE Special Representative praises government and civil society efforts to combat human trafficking in USA
The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, commended efforts by US Government and civil society in the fight against human trafficking at the end of her Official Country...
North Korea: End Kim Family’s Legacy of Abuse
North Korea’s decision to celebrate late leader Kim Jong-Il’s birthday on February 16, 2016, with a satellite launch should not distract the international community from the regime’s extensive abuses, Human Rights Watch said on February 13. Instead,...
Yemen: Cluster Munitions Wounding Civilians
The Saudi Arabia-led coalition is using internationally banned cluster munitions supplied by the United States in Yemen despite evidence of civilian casualties, Human Rights Watch said on February 14. Recently transferred US-manufactured cluster...
Afghan casualties hit record high 11,000 in 2015 – UN report
The United Nations reported on 14 February that Afghan hostilities in 2015 left more than 3,500 civilians dead, including an unprecedented number of children – one in four casualties over the past year was a child – and nearly 7,500 others wounded,...
