Human Rights | WPN World People News

Malaysian lawmakers have approved controversial changes to a security law that would allow authorities to detain people for years without charging them with any crime.

The Russian state prosecutor laid charges of piracy against a Greenpeace activist who protested against oil drilling in the Arctic. A freelance videographer has also been charged with piracy, which carries a maximum 15 year jail sentence. It is an extreme and disproportionate charge. Charges are expected to be brought against other Greenpeace campaigners over the coming hours and days.

A scene from the crowded Za'atri refugee camp in Jordan hosting many Syrian refugees.

A health worker records children’s information at an immunization site in Bangui during a measles vaccination campaign in May 2013.

Satellite imagery analysis of Raqqa school attack.

The Vietnamese government should drop politically motivated charges against Le Quoc Quan, one of Vietnam’s most prominent and respected human rights defenders, Human Rights Watch said. Vietnam’s donors should communicate serious concerns about Hanoi’s ongoing crackdown on rights defenders and bloggers, and publicly call for the unconditional release of Le Quoc Quan and other peaceful critics.

A displaced woman receives aid items from UNHCR in Uganga, Central African Republic.

Thousands of people flowed from Syria across the Peshkhabour border crossing into Iraq's Dohuk Governorate.

Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott should ensure that the rights of asylum seekers and migrants are respected in any agreements with the Indonesian government. Abbott is slated to meet with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta on September 30, 2013, in his first international trip as Australia’s head of state.

A further eight Greenpeace International activists have been detained for two months in Russia pending an investigation into possible charges of piracy. The eight will join 22 others, including a freelance videographer and freelance photographer, detained on Thursday following a peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling. Greenpeace International pledged to appeal all 30 detentions.