Category: Human Rights

On April 7, Australian police arrested Ben Roberts-Smith, a decorated Australian soldier who stands accused of committing five counts of war crimes in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.  Many of the details of Roberts-Smith’s alleged crimes were made public when he sued media outlets that had first reported on the allegations. He lost the defamation case.  For victims of […]

As wildfires are getting larger, more frequent, and more destructive, the European Commission is presenting a new integrated approach to wildfire risk management. The strategy covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This holistic approach will enhance Europe’s resilience against the growing threat of wildfires and ensure stronger protection for Europeans and the environment, as well […]

The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria documented widespread violations mainly against the Druze and Bedouin communities, including executions, torture, gender-based violence and the burning of homes.  These incidents, carried out by multiple actors, including Syrian government forces and Druze armed groups, may amount to war crimes or even crimes against humanity, pending further investigation, the Commission said.  Widespread devastation  The escalation in the southern governorate, […]

The warning comes as the world’s youngest nation remains among the top displacement crises, with nearly 10 million people in need of humanitarian assistance including returnees fleeing the war in neighbouring Sudan.  IOM requires just over $131 million for operations in South Sudan this year but faces a $29 million funding gap.  ‘An extraordinary burden’  The UN agency and partners are supporting the authorities with piloting government-led solutions under the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement whose goals include ensuring effective protection and assistance for those who have […]

Forces affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces have arbitrarily detained, tortured, and otherwise ill-treated civilians in areas under their control, and denied them due process rights. The military has led a campaign of fear and retaliation against people they label collaborators, because of their ethnic identity, humanitarian work, or political affiliation or for having lived […]

This week, the Commission scaled up its humanitarian response in Lebanon, delivering nearly 150 tonnes of life-saving supplies to support people displaced by the deteriorating situation in the country. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said: ‘The situation in Lebanon is worsening by the day, affecting millions in already dire need. Through […]

In a night of further terror for civilians, on 28 March, a drone strike hit the Odesa Maternity Hospital No.5 with dozens of pregnant women and newborns inside. The patients were safe due to the underground shelter, and no one was hurt in the strike, according to the UN World Health Organisation (WHO). 32 new […]

Briefing reporters in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said any strike against civilians anywhere – or any civilian buildings or other infrastructure is “unacceptable and unjustifiable.”  “Between yesterday and the early hours of today, an overnight large-scale drone and missile attack across Ukraine and frontline hostilities resulted in dozens of residential buildings damaged in […]

On April 2, the Cuban government announced the release of 2,010 prisoners, framing it as a “humanitarian gesture.” While the announcement raised hopes among many political prisoners’ families, neither Human Rights Watch nor other civil society groups, including Prisoners Defenders and Justicia 11J, have identified any political prisoners among those released. In its announcement, the Cuban […]

The European Commission has released nearly €11 million to support humanitarian aid and strengthen disaster preparedness across Asia in 2026. Over €8.7 million will fund disaster preparedness initiatives throughout the region, the majority through a regional allocation of €7 million covering ASEAN countries, as well as Nepal and Sri Lanka. In addition, a dedicated envelope […]