Human Rights | WPN World People News

To mark the second International Day of the Girl Child, UNICEF highlighted the power of innovation to get more girls in school and improve the quality of learning for all children.

The 9 October presidential election in Azerbaijan was undermined by limitations on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association that did not guarantee a level playing field for candidates, the international observers concluded in a statement released. Continued allegations of candidate and voter intimidation and a restrictive media environment marred the campaign.

Parliament passed three separate resolutions, condemning violence and persecution against Christians in Syria, Pakistan and Iran, calling for protection for journalists and free access to the internet in Sudan and condemning acts of terrorism and sectarian violence in Iraq.

Appeals for bail by lawyers for Phil Ball and Kieron Bryan, both British citizens, were refused by the Regional Court of Murmansk.

Italian coastguards help a group of boat people found floating in a crowded craft near Lampedusa Island.

In a session marked by the tragedy off the coast of Lampedusa, Parliament held a minute of silence for the victims and then debated with the Commission how to improve how refugees are received in the EU. Political extremism was strongly condemned and new rules were approved for shale gas extraction, flight crew working time and the recognition of professional qualifications. This year’s Sakharov Prize is awarded to Malala Yousafzai for her fight for girls’ education in the face of the Taliban.

Divers have found an additional 20 bodies from last week's shipwreck near the Italian island of Lampedusa, raising the death toll to 359.

The United Nations human rights office is condemning the execution of at least 42 people in Iraq on terrorism charges over the past two days and calling on the Iraqi government to halt executions.

The death toll from the tragedy off Lampedusa stands at over 300, but searchers fear there may still be more.

A prominent human rights group has accused Syrian rebels of committing crimes against humanity during a recent offensive on an area held by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

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