Human Rights

Kyrgyzstan: Couple Detained for Anti-Putin Posters

Kyrgyzstan police detained a couple staging a peaceful protest in Bishkek on March 27, 2019, accusing them of “inciting national enmity,” Human Rights Watch said on March 29, 2019.

China: New Zealand’s Ardern Should Spotlight Xinjiang

On Visit, Urge International Access to Arbitrarily Detained Muslims

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should publicly express concern about mass abuses of Turkic Muslims in meetings with Chinese leaders, Human Rights Watch said on March 31, 2019 in a letter to the prime minister. Ardern will visit China, where credible estimates suggest authorities are arbitrarily detaining one million Turkic Muslims, on April 1, 2019.

UN’s Bachelet rejects Sri Lankan official’s ‘spin’ on Human Rights Council encounter, urges reforms

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Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressing the Human Rights Council on the state of global human rights, 6 March, 2019.

Kenya: Reverse Move to Close Refugee Camp

No Forced Returns of Refugees

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Refugees stand outside their tent at the Ifo Extension refugee camp in Dadaab, near the Kenya-Somalia border in Garissa County, Kenya, October 19, 2011.

US: Massachusetts Should End Child Marriage

Bill Would Prohibit Anyone Under 18 From Marrying

Massachusetts lawmakers and Governor Charlie Baker should back a proposed law to end child marriage in Massachusetts, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the governor that was released this week. Human Rights Watch also released a video in which middle school children in Massachusetts describe their feelings about the subject.

Russia: Student Fined for Involving Children in Protest

First Use of New Law

Russian authorities should quash the convictions and sentences against Ivan Luzin, an 18-year-old law student punished for “organizing an unsanctioned protest” and for involving two 16-year-olds in the protest, Human Rights Watch said on March 27, 2019. His prosecution and the fines imposed violate the rights to freedom of assembly and expression, Human Rights Watch said. Luzin, a member of the unregistered Libertarian Party of Russia, is the first person in Russia to be punished under a 2018 law prohibiting anyone from involving children in an unauthorized protest.

‘Uphold human dignity’, dismantle ‘specious notion of racial superiority’ urges UN chief

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Commemorative meeting on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

India: Parties Should Pledge to Protect Rights

Provide Roadmaps for Reform Ahead of Elections

Candidates and political parties contesting India’s parliamentary elections, slated for April and May 2019, should commit to strengthening human rights protections, Human Rights Watch said on March 26, 2019 in an open letter. Human Rights Watch called on candidates to commit to human rights reforms on several key issues.

Ukraine: Rights Agenda for the Next President

Questions and Answers About Key Human Rights Issues

The winner of Ukraine’s upcoming presidential election will face a number of major human rights problems, Human Rights Watch said on March 26, 2018 in releasing a question and answer document about human rights issues.

UAE: Eight Lebanese Face Unfair Trial

Prolonged Solitary Confinement, Denied Access to Lawyers, Families Say

Emirati authorities detained eight Lebanese nationals for more than a year without charge in an unknown location, ill-treating them and denying them their due process rights, Human Rights Watch said on March 25, 2019. Their trial, which began on February 13, 2019, continues to be marred with violations. The third session is set for March 27.

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