Human Rights

Democracy and values are problematic in DRC, says Denis Mukwege

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Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) of the European Parliament discussion with Denis Mukwege, Sakharov Prize Laureate 2014

Germany: Clothing Brands Should Increase Transparency

Publicly Disclosing Supplier Lists Promotes Factory Worker Rights

German apparel and footwear brands should promote workers’ rights in their global operations by publicly disclosing the factories producing their products. Supply chain transparency through public disclosure would demonstrate a brand’s commitment to ensuring good working conditions for workers throughout their operations.

Nigeria: At Least 1,000 Civilians Dead Since January

Urgent Need for Aid, Protection for Fleeing Civilians

Attacks by the Islamist armed group Boko Haram killed more than 1,000 civilians in 2015, based on witness accounts and an analysis of media reports. Boko Haram fighters have deliberately attacked villages and committed mass killings and abductions as their attacks have spread from northeast Nigeria into Cameroon, Chad, and Niger since February.

Bahrain: Families Denied Prison Access After Unrest

Investigate Overcrowding; Ensure Family Contact for Prisoners

Authorities denied many prisoners contact with their families for up to 13 days in the aftermath of violent unrest at Jaw Prison on March 10, 2015. Bahraini authorities should order an investigation into overcrowding at the prison and the circumstances of the violence.

UN to unveil permanent memorial in New York honouring victims of transatlantic slave trade

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A close-up from the memorial on the legacy of slavery.

Oman: 3-Year Sentence for Rights Activist

Peaceful Reform Blogger Also Faces New Charges

An Oman court on March 8, 2015, sentenced a human rights activist to three years in prison for his writings. Said Jaddad, 48, a prominent pro-reform blogger, is being held at the detention facility in the southern city of Salalah.

US: Rights Should Top Afghanistan Summit Agenda

Sideline Strongmen; Address Women’s Rights, Guantanamo, and CIA

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and United States President Barack Obama should make human rights issues a key agenda item during meetings the week of March 23, 2015, Human Rights Watch said. Both the US and Afghan governments have a legacy of human rights violations to address, from abusive militias in Afghanistan to the mistreatment of detainees at Bagram and Guantanamo.

Syria: Rebels’ Car Bombs, Rockets Kill Civilians

Indiscriminate Attacks Strike Government-Held Areas

Opposition armed groups in Syria have indiscriminately attacked civilians in government-held territory with car bombs, mortars, and rockets, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on March 23. The attacks have killed and maimed hundreds of civilians and destroyed civilian infrastructure in violation of the laws of war.

Yemen: Attacks on Journalists Escalate

End Arbitrary Detention, Mistreatment

Houthi forces and others in Yemen have committed a spate of attacks and other abuses against the media amid deteriorating political and security conditions.

Death penalty: concern at the latest events in Belarus and Russia

Marietta Karamanli (France, SOC), general rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on abolition of the death penalty, condemned the death sentence issued on 18 March by the Rechytsa district court against Siarhei Ivanou at the end of a trial which had been held in camera.

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