Human Rights

Saudi Arabia: Growing Crackdown on Women’s Rights Activists

Accused of Crimes Based on Their Advocacy

Saudi authorities have accused seven recently detained women’s rights activists and others associated with the women’s rights movement of serious crimes, Human Rights Watch said on May 23, 2018. A statement issued by the Presidency of the State Security cited possible charges for “suspicious contact with foreign parties” and undermining the “security and stability” of the state that appear to be directly based on their activism.

Co-op signs Anti-Slavery Charter

CEO Steve Murrells explains why it’s important for the Co-op to lead business against slavery.

We think of slavery as something from the history books but it is happening in the UK at this very moment.

Saudi Activists Targeted as Driving Ban Nears End

The Saudi Arabian activist who helped start a women's right-to-drive campaign in the kingdom said she is receiving death threats now that the driving ban is about to be lifted.

World Cup No Time to Obscure Plight of Syrians

World Leaders Should Sit Out Opening Ceremony Unless Syria Abuses are Addressed

With the lives of over two million civilians at risk in Syria’s Idlib and Daraa governorates, world leaders should abstain from attending the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Moscow, on June 14, 2018, unless the Kremlin takes meaningful steps to protect them from chemical and conventional attacks, Human Rights Watch said on May 21. Russia, host of the 2018 World Cup, is providing weapons, military support, and diplomatic cover to the Syrian government despite evidence that Syrian forces have deliberately and indiscriminately targeted civilians since 2013.

China: Activist Convicted for Promoting Tibetan Language

Politically Motivated Trial Shows Beijing’s Contempt for Minority Rights

The Chinese authorities’ baseless prosecution of a Tibetan language rights activist demonstrates the government’s contempt for the rights of minority peoples, Human Rights Watch said On May 22, 2018. On the same day, a court in Yushu prefecture, Qinghai province, sentenced Tashi Wangchuk to 5 years for “inciting separatism.”

Burkina Faso: Killings, Abuse in Sahel Conflict

“By Day We Fear the Army, By Night the Jihadists"

Armed Islamist groups in Burkina Faso have executed suspected government collaborators, intimidated teachers and spread fear among civilians throughout the country, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on May 21, 2018. In response, Burkinabè security forces conducted counterterrorism operations in 2017 and 2018 that resulted in extrajudicial killings, abuse of suspects in custody and arbitrary arrests. The Burkinabè government has promised to investigate these allegations.

US Suit Risks Cloaking Immigrant Detention Abuse

Amicus Filed in Federal Case Vs. California

California has a clear interest in monitoring dire health and safety conditions in immigrant detention centers in the state, three human and immigrant rights groups said on May 18, 2018 in a friend-of-the-court brief.

Saudi Arabia: Women’s Rights Advocates Arrested

Jumping Ahead of Crown Prince’s Reforms Risks Jail Time

Saudi authorities since May 15, 2018, detained a total of seven prominent women’s rights defenders, Human Rights Watch said on May 18, 2018. The activists have long advocated ending the ban on women driving and abolishing the discriminatory male guardianship system. Among those arrested are Eman al-Nafjan and Lujain al-Hathloul, along with two male activists, but authorities have not revealed the reason behind the arrests.

Teenage girl’s death sentence spotlights Sudan’s failure to tackle forced marriage, gender-based violence – UN rights office

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OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

Force used against protestors in Gaza ‘wholly disproportionate’ says UN human rights chief

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Human Rights Council special session on “the deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem” on 18 May 2018, United Nations Office in Geneva.

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