Human Rights

An Unwanted Christmas Gift

Refusal of asylum can be devastating for trafficking victims, Megan Bethell and Neelam Banaris from the Snowdrop Project blog.

Christmas is a special time for many of us. However, this Christmas for 5 of our women was overshadowed by the arrival of a letter. Instead of enjoying the holiday season, these 5 survivors were given a devastating letter refusing their asylum application.

OSCE/ODIHR experts discuss electoral recommendations in Mongolia

A team of election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final report of the ODIHR limited election observation mission for the two-round presidential election in Mongolia, on 26 June and 7 July 2017, during a visit to Ulaanbaatar on 16 and 17 January 2018.

Europe should not help dictators spy on their own citizens

EU export controls should be extended to cyber-surveillance tools to avoid human rights violations, MEPs said in a vote on Wednesday.

Vietnam: Drop Charges Against Nguyen Van Oai

Intensive Crackdown on Rights Campaigners

Vietnam should drop charges of violating probation against the veteran human rights activist Nguyen Van Oai and allow him to go home, Human Rights Watch said on Jan 14. The People’s Court of Nghe An province will hear his appeal on January 15, 2018.

Somalia: Al-Shabab Demanding Children

Residents Threatened to Hand Over Boys, Girls

The Islamist armed group Al-Shabab has threatened and abducted civilians in Somalia’s Bay region to force communities to hand over their children for indoctrination and military training in recent months.

India: Identification Project Threatens Rights

Ensure Access to Essential Services, Investigate Data Breach Claims

The Indian government’s mandatory biometric identification project, Aadhaar, could lead to millions of people being denied access to essential services and benefits in violation of their human rights, Amnesty International India and Human Rights Watch said on Jan 13. The large-scale collection of personal and biometric data, and linking it to a range of services, also raises serious concerns about violations of the right to privacy.

OSCE representative Désir welcomes milestone ruling of Constitutional Court releasing Alpay and Altan, urges Turkey to release all journalists

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir welcomed the ruling by Turkey’s Constitutional Court to release two journalists, calling it a step of vital importance in improving media freedom and freedom of expression in the country.

OSCE/ODIHR Director says ongoing operation of Guantanamo Bay detention facility contravenes international human rights standards, reiterates call for closure

On January 11, on the 16th anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), reiterated her Office’s calls for the facility’s prompt closure.

Mozambique: No Justice for Abuses Before Ceasefire

Prosecuting Security Force, Renamo Crimes Key for Enduring Peace

Mozambique’s government has failed to hold anyone to account for serious abuses by both state security forces and the opposition Renamo in the year prior to a December 2016 ceasefire, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Jan 12, 2018.

Burma: Privacy Law Used to Prosecute Critics

Amend Provision Violating Free Expression Rights

Burmese authorities should not pursue a criminal complaint brought under Burma’s privacy law against a Facebook user for posts critical of a state chief minister, Human Rights Watch said on Jan 12, 2018.

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