Human Rights | WPN World People News

Governments around the world should heed the findings of the UN’s human rights commissioner on mass surveillance, Human Rights Watch said. Governments should rein in mass surveillance and respect the privacy of all Internet users, no matter where they are located.

Cambodian authorities should drop trumped-up charges against six leading opposition politicians and immediately and unconditionally release them, Human Rights Watch said. On July 16, 2014, a Phnom Penh court charged elected members of parliament of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) with insurrection, intentional violence, and obstructing government officials.

Burundian authorities should halt their crackdown on opposition party members. Officials should also quash a March 21, 2014 verdict in which 48 people were handed sentences ranging from two years to life in prison.

Uganda is failing to protect homeless children against police abuse and other violence, Human Rights Watch said in a report released. Street children throughout Uganda’s urban centers face violence, and physical and sexual abuse. National and local government officials should put an end to organized roundups of street children, hold police and others accountable for beatings, and provide improved access for these children to education and healthcare.

Iratxe García Pérez

The Islamist insurgency Boko Haram in Nigeria killed at least 2,053 civilians in an estimated 95 attacks during the first half of 2014. The figures are based on detailed analyses of media reports as well as field investigations. The killings and other abuses were part of widespread attacks on civilians in over 70 towns and villages in northeastern Nigeria, in the federal capital, Abuja, and elsewhere that are apparent crimes against humanity.

In 2013, WFP provided preventative nutrition support for 325,000 children under two, nutrition treatment for 200,000 children under five, and nutrition support for 157,00 pregnant and nursing mothers.

At least 33 children were killed in Gaza in recent days, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported yesterday, highlighting the negative impact violence has on children both physically and psychologically.

A US appeals court’s ruling on July 14, 2014, has dealt a major blow to the legitimacy of military commissions and should dissuade the Obama administration from further using the commissions to prosecute terrorism suspects, Human Rights Watch said.

Having lost everything, many displaced Palestine refugees from Syria have one main vegetable- or grain-based meal a day. Meat and fish rarely feature in the diet due to their high cost. Maashouk gathering, Tyre, South Lebanon. 22 May 2014.