Category: Human Rights

The European Commission is mobilising support for Portugal as it battles a wildfire near Ribeira Brava, Madeira. Following Portugal’s activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism yesterday evening, the Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has immediately coordinated the deployment of two rescEU firefighting Canadair planes which will arrive today from Spain to Madeira. These […]

(Nairobi) – Two human rights defenders who held a news conference to criticize the Democratic Republic of Congo’s “state of siege” in eastern provinces have been held without charge since August 1, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today. Jack Sinzahera, 35, one of those held, a member of the citizens’ movement Amka Congo (Wake up […]

The EU has released an additional €122 million for humanitarian assistance in the Greater Horn of Africa, as the region continues to face the impact of conflicts and climate-related disasters such as drought and floods. The funding will help address the most urgent needs of vulnerable populations, notably with food and nutrition assistance, but also […]

World Food Programme (WFP) trucks carrying sorghum, pulses, oil and rice destined for 13,000 people at risk of famine in Kereneik, West Darfur, made the crossing on Tuesday evening local time. WFP reports that it has food and nutrition supplies for around 500,000 people ready to move swiftly through the newly re-opened route.   “The re-opening […]

On Tuesday, Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner released a report, “Help way earlier!”, that finds that Australia is failing to protect children’s rights in its criminal justice system. Commissioner Anne Hollands based her findings on interviews with 150 children and young people who have experienced the system firsthand. The report makes 24 recommendations, including banning solitary confinement for […]

(Beirut) – Tunisian authorities have prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned at least eight prospective candidates for the October 6, 2024, presidential election, Human Rights Watch said today. The electoral commission has approved only three candidates, including incumbent President Kais Saied. Tunisian authorities should urgently end politically motivated prosecutions and allow for free and fair elections. Tunisia is […]

(Berlin) – Georgian authorities have yet to demonstrate that they are conducting effective investigations into a spate of violent attacks on civic and political activists over recent months, Human Rights Watch said today. Impunity for these attacks risks encouraging further political violence and instability in the run-up to the country’s parliamentary elections in October 2024. From […]

(Geneva) – Nepal’s long-awaited transitional justice law, adopted by the lower house of parliament on August 14, 2024, incorporates many positive provisions that could help in advancing justice, accountability, and redress for the widespread human rights violations and abuses committed during the 1996-2006 conflict, but still has elements that could undermine a successful outcome, Amnesty International, […]

On August 16, Cambodian authorities forcibly disappeared 28-year-old Vannith Hay. He was detained after Cambodia’s former Prime Minister and current Senate President Hun Sen threatened his brother Vanna Hay, an activist leading the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Movement in Japan, in a speech earlier this month. None of Vannith Hay’s family members have been able to […]

Air pollution and stress from wildfires is on the rise with specific harms for maternal health, but experiences from Oregon indicate that public health officials are not doing enough to reach pregnant people with vital health hazard information. It’s crucial for state and federal governments to address the environmental harms to pregnancy that intersect with […]