Category: Human Rights

On October 16, police in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, arrested investigative journalist Thomas Zgambo and detained him without charge for nearly two weeks. Zgambo writes for the online news outlet Zambian Whistleblower, which has exposed alleged corruption, human rights abuses, and abuse of power under President Hakainde Hichilema. A day into his detention, Zgambo, 52, wrote on Facebook that […]

(Istanbul, November 2, 2024) – Türkiye’s parliament should reject a proposed legislative amendment that seeks to expand the definition of espionage in such a vague manner that it could criminalize legitimate work by human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors in the country, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) […]

Addressing the Impunity Crisis: Protecting Journalists Worldwide In a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists globally, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently highlighted that an estimated 9 out of 10 murders of journalists go unpunished. This alarming statistic underscores a systemic failure to protect those who risk their lives to report the truth, […]

Sudan’s ongoing civil war has reached catastrophic levels, with recent estimates suggesting that at least 62,000 lives have been lost since the conflict erupted in April 2023. However, experts warn that the actual death toll could be significantly higher as the situation continues to evolve. This article examines the causes of the conflict, its humanitarian […]

The dangers faced by journalists, including risks to their lives, are highlighted each year on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, which falls on November 2. This year, the International Day coincides with the biannual UNESCO Director-General’s Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which recorded a 38 per […]

In a recent address, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power highlighted the strong support from the U.S., Haiti, and other nations for transitioning the Multilateral Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS) to a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation. This shift aims to enhance security and stability in a country facing significant challenges. Context […]

In a recent meeting, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious concerns regarding the detention of UN personnel, diplomats, and NGO staff by Houthi forces in Yemen. The discussions highlighted the troubling trend of detaining humanitarian workers and the implications it has for the ongoing […]

The decision announced on Friday will benefit 335,000 longtime residents and members of officially recognized minority ethnic groups, along with approximately 142,000 of their children born in Thailand. ‘Historic development’ “This is a historic development,” said Ms. Hai Kyung Jun, UN refugee agency (UNHCR) Bureau Director for Asia and the Pacific. The measure is expected […]

(Kyiv, October 30, 2024) – Ukraine’s new law banning religious organizations with ties to the Russian Orthodox Church is overly broad and could have far-reaching consequences for Ukrainians’ right to religious freedom, Human Rights Watch said today. The law could effectively ban congregations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Ukraine’s largest religious body. The law, adopted […]

(Beirut) – Syrians fleeing violence in Lebanon face risks of repression and persecution by the Syrian government upon return, including enforced disappearance, torture, and death in detention, Human Rights Watch said today. Since late September 2024, intensified Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have compelled hundreds of thousands of Syrians to flee back to Syria, with strikes killing at […]