Human Rights

Cambodia: Free Forcibly Returned Critic of Hun Sen

Thailand Violates International Law by Returning UN-Recognized Refugee

The Cambodian government should immediately release Sam Sokha, a Cambodian labor activist who gained notoriety after she threw a sandal at a photo of Prime Minister Hun Sen in April 2017, Human Rights Watch said on Feb 09, 2018. On February 8, 2018, Thai authorities forcibly returned Sam Sokha, who had been detained in Bangkok in January, to Cambodia.

Malaysia: Don’t Send 11 Detainees to China

Group Members Face Possible Torture, Ill-Treatment

The government of Malaysia should ensure that 11 detained migrants are not forcibly deported to China, Human Rights Watch said on Feb 09. The migrants should have urgent access to refugee status determination proceedings by the United Nations refugee agency.

Zero tolerance for female genital mutilation

The Commission and member states must step up their efforts to help end female genital mutilation, said MEPs in a resolution voted on Wednesday.

Bangladesh: End Crackdown on Opposition Supporters

Hundreds Detained Ahead of Court Verdict on BNP Leader

Bangladesh authorities should stop the arbitrary arrests and detention of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters and others, Human Rights Watch said on Feb 08. Hundreds have been arrested or placed under preventive detention ahead of a February 8, 2018 verdict on the corruption case against BNP chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, and five others, including her son.

Valentine’s Day: Tainted Jewelry Supply Chains

Promising Practices Show Potential for Change

Jewelry and watch companies need to do more to ensure that their supply chains are free of human rights abuse, Human Rights Watch said in a report released om Feb 08, ahead of Valentine’s Day. In addition, 29 civil society groups and trade unions jointly appealed to the jewelry industry to improve its sourcing practices.

Iran: Three Child Offenders Executed

Iran executed at least three child offenders across the country in January 2018, Human Rights Watch said. Iran should immediately and unconditionally end the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by children under age 18, and move toward a complete ban on capital punishment.

Australia: Prisoners with Disabilities Neglected, Abused

Inquiry Urgently Needed into Use of Solitary Confinement

People with disabilities in prisons across Australia are at serious risk of sexual and physical violence, and are disproportionately held in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Feb 06, 2018.

South Sudan: Warring Parties Break Promises on Child Soldiers

UN, AU Need to Impose Sanctions, Get Court Running

South Sudanese armed forces and armed opposition groups continue to recruit child soldiers and force them into the conflict, despite numerous commitments to stop, Human Rights Watch said on Feb 05, 2018.

Florida: Child Marriage Ban Hits a Bump

Legislators Should Support Bill Setting Minimum Age at 18

Both houses of the Florida legislature should pass a bill to set the minimum age of marriage at 18, with no exceptions, the Florida Coalition to End Child Marriage said on Feb 05,2018. The coalition, which consists of 13 organizations, as well as survivors of child and forced marriage, called on legislators in the Florida House of Representatives to remove a harmful amendment from a pending law to ban child marriage.

US: Nursing Homes Misuse Drugs to Control Residents

Government Should Enforce Rules to Stop Abuse

Nursing homes across the United States routinely give antipsychotic drugs to residents with dementia to control their behavior, despite rules against the misuse of drugs as “chemical restraints,” Human Rights Watch said in a report and video released on Feb 05, 2018. This abusive practice remains widespread, even though the use of antipsychotic drugs on older people with dementia is associated with a nearly doubled risk of death.

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