Human Rights

India: Basic Freedoms at Risk in Kashmir

Free Political Leaders, Restore Communications, Exercise Restraint

Indian authorities have adopted measures in anticipation of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir state that raise serious human rights concerns, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 05. The government announced on August 5, 2019 that it was altering the special constitutional status of the state.

Iran: Jailed Environmentalists on Hunger Strike

Environmentalists Protesting 550 days of Legal Limbo

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A campaign poster showing environmental activists, Taher Ghadirian, Niloufar Bayani, Amirhossein Khaleghi, Houman Jokar, Sam Rajabi, Sepideh Kashani, Morad Tahbaz and Abdolreza Kouhpayeh, who have been in detention for six months.

Equatorial Guinea: Coup Trial Travesty of Justice

112 Convicted in Flawed Case; Defendants Alleged Torture

An Equatorial Guinea court’s conviction of 112 defendants on May 31, 2019, in a trial rife with due process violations, including confessions extracted through torture, represents a gross miscarriage of justice, Human Rights Watch said in releasing a video about the trial on Aug 2, 2019.

Saudi Arabia: Important Advances for Saudi Women

Freedom to Obtain Passports, But Women Activists Remained Jailed

The sweeping advances for Saudi women announced by Saudi Arabia will start to dismantle the country’s discriminatory male guardianship system, Human Rights Watch said on Aug 02, 2019. The changes were announced while many of the women activists who championed these reforms remain on trial or in detention in retaliation for their rights advocacy.

Sri Lanka: No Progress in Prosecuting Aid Worker Massacre

Reinvigorate Commitment to Justice for Civil War Atrocities

Sri Lankan authorities have failed to bring to justice those responsible for the execution-style killing of 17 aid workers 13 years ago, Human Right Watch said on Aug 01, 2019. On August 4, 2006, alleged Sri Lankan security forces murdered local staff members from the Paris-based Action Contre La Faim (Action Against Hunger, ACF) at their compound in the town of Muttur, in eastern Trincomalee district.

Conflict, climate change among factors that increase ‘desperation that enables human trafficking to flourish’, says UN chief

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Refugee women show their support for UNHCR's anti-trafficking campaign at Wad Sharife camp in east Sudan.

Nigeria: Court Bans Shia Group

Decision Tramples on Basic Rights of Religious Movement

A Nigerian court ruled on July 26, 2019 that activities of the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) amount to “acts of terrorism and illegality” and ordered the government to ban the religious group, Human Rights Watch said on July 30. Nigeria’s presidency then announced the ban on July 28.

UN: New ‘List of Shame’ Shortchanges Children

Ignores Evidence on Saudi Coalition, Israel, Afghanistan

The United Nations secretary-general omitted countries responsible for grave violations against children in armed conflict in his new “list of shame,” Human Rights Watch said on July 30, 2019. The list also gave certain countries an undeserved more favorable designation despite their failed promises to improve their record.

Nepal: Justice Stalled for Conflict-Era Crimes

Transitional Justice Laws and Commissioner Appointments Need Restart

The Government of Nepal has failed to fulfill its commitment to provide justice for the victims of the country’s decade-long armed conflict, Amnesty International, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Human Rights Watch, and TRIAL International said on July 29, 2019.

Philippines: Reject Sweeping ‘Fake News’ Bill

Proposed Law Would Excessively Restrict Online Freedom of Speech

The Philippines proposed law on “false content” is sweepingly broad and threatens to stifle discussion on websites worldwide, Human Rights Watch said on July 25, 2019. The government should withdraw the Anti-False Content bill, popularly described as a bill on “fake news,” introduced in the Senate on July 1, 2019.

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