Human Rights

Australia Needs to Guarantee Military Exports are Not Used in Unlawful Attacks in Yemen: Joint NGO Letter

The Australian government must ensure that its military exports are not contributing to violations of international law by the warring parties in Yemen, Save the Children, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch said in a joint letter to the Australian ministers of foreign affairs and defence on September 28, 2018.

UN hails Human Rights Declaration as tool for conflict and poverty prevention

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Young children read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at a playground.

Iraq: Secret Detention, No Recourse

Campaign of Enforced Disappearances

Iraqi military and security forces have disappeared dozens of mostly Sunni Arab males since 2014, including children as young as 9, often in the context of counterterrorism operations, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on September 27, 2018.

France: Aid Worker Convicted for Tweet

First Such Conviction in French Courts

A humanitarian worker’s defamation conviction on September 25, 2018, for an ironic tweet represents a dangerous escalation in official harassment of groups providing crucial aid to migrants, Human Rights Watch said on september 27, 2018. It is the first conviction of its kind in France.

Bangladesh: New Law Will Silence Critics

Digital Security Act is Overly Broad, Ripe for Abuse

The Digital Security Act passed by the Bangladeshi parliament last week, despite vehement opposition from the country’s journalists, strikes a blow to freedom of speech in the country, Human Rights Watch said on September 24, 2018. The law, which replaces the much-criticized Information and Communication Technology Act (ICT), retains the most problematic provisions of that law and adds more provisions criminalizing peaceful speech.

US: Devastating Impact of Jailing Mothers

Even Short Stays in Jail Can Cause Permanent Harm to Families

Mothers in jail are being torn from their families and losing contact with their children even before they have been convicted of a crime, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union said in a joint report released on September 26, 2018.

Bangladesh: Rohingya Refugees with Disabilities

Video Shows Need to Improve Infrastructure, Provide Services

Bangladesh’s overcrowded, hilly, and rain-soaked mega camp for ethnic Rohingya refugees is precarious for everyone, but especially for people with disabilities, Human Rights Watch said in a new video on September 24. More than 700,000 people reside in the camp after fleeing the Myanmar military’s campaign of ethnic cleansing more than a year ago.

China: Hong Kong Party Banned

Ominous Sign for Freedoms of Association, Expression, Assembly

The Hong Kong government’s decision to ban the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party is a grim sign for human rights in the territory, Human Rights Watch said on September 24, 2018. It is the first time a political party has been banned since Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

Peace is at risk and violated in many places, but ‘we will not give up,’ says UN chief Guterres

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Secretary-General António Guterres rings the Peace Bell at the annual ceremony held at UN Headquarters in observance of the International Day of Peace.

Mauritania: Activist Charged for Decrying Racism

Drop Peaceful Speech Charges; Reveal Any Evidence

A Mauritanian criminal court has charged an activist with incitement to violence and racial hatred for social media messages decrying racial discrimination in the country, Human Rights Watch said on September 21, 2018. The authorities should drop any charges against the activist, Abdallahi Salem Ould Yali, that relate to his peaceful speech on behalf of his marginalized community, and ensure he has speedy access to all the evidence against him.

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