Category: Human Rights

Human rights organizations have appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging him not to repatriate North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia. The call follows the release of video footage in which Ukrainian authorities interrogated two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs), who had been captured in Russia’s western Kursk region earlier this month. […]

Independent human rights experts have called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to lift its recent ban on Al Jazeera, citing significant concerns over freedom of expression and press rights. The ban, which was enforced on January 1, 2025, following a Ramallah court order on January 5, led to the suspension of the broadcaster’s operations across […]

In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, Pakistan’s government has faced backlash from journalists, human rights groups, and even members of its own political allies over recent amendments to the country’s cybercrime law. The controversial changes to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), passed in January 2024, have drawn concern for their potential to […]

A British businessman, Ryan Cornelius, has been imprisoned in Dubai for over 16 years under what his supporters say are unjust charges of fraud. Cornelius, 70, was sentenced to 10 years for allegedly securing a £370 million loan from Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) through bribery. His sentence was later extended, and despite international calls for […]

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, Hamas released four Israeli female hostages in a carefully staged handover, marking the second hostage swap since a ceasefire took effect on January 19, 2025. The four women—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—had been captured by Hamas during the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, when […]

(Nairobi) – Civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are at increasing risk as the abusive M23 armed group, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), approaches Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, Human Rights Watch said today. The M23 is opposed by Congolese military forces and a coalition of abusive militias known as “Wazalendo” (“patriots” […]

Prominent Tunisian human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine has entered the ninth day of a hunger strike, calling attention to her six-month detention under charges widely viewed as politically motivated. Bensedrine, 74, was arrested in August 2024 on accusations of fraud, “gaining unfair advantages,” and forgery related to her leadership of Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission […]

Today, Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality Hadja Lahbib is in Rome to meet the Italian authorities. She will meet Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice President Antonio Tajani, to update him on her recent visit to the Middle East and discuss pressing humanitarian issues.  She will also meet Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policy, Nello […]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the recent terrorism-related charges filed against Hossam Bahgat, the executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), urging Egyptian authorities to drop the accusations. Bahgat was briefly detained and later released on bail following charges including participation in a terrorist group, financing terrorism, and spreading false news. […]

Hamas has announced the names of the next four hostages it plans to release on Saturday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Israel. The release follows a deal aimed at temporarily halting the conflict in Gaza, which has been in place for at least six weeks. While Hamas disclosed the hostages’ identities, Israel […]