Azerbaijan Rearrests Journalist Forcibly Returned from Georgia

Azerbaijani authorities’ renewed detention of exiled journalist Afgan Sadigov raises serious concerns about transnational repression and the apparent manipulation of legal procedures across borders to silence a government critic.  Several masked men in civilian clothing detained Sadigov in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku on June 8, according to Sadigov’s family and lawyer. Later that day, a […]

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Malawi: People with Albinism Face Discrimination, Barriers to Work

Play Video Read a text description of this video Soundbite: I cannot live without fear because discrimination is very widespread here in Malawi against us, people with albinism.  Soundbite: We walk around in fear, especially when we are in public places because, according to the beliefs people have, if they take our bones, they will […]

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US Investments in DR Congo Should Address Corruption, Rights

The US government wants big investments in critical minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while asserting that US companies will contribute to the region’s “peace, prosperity, and dignity.” But any meaningful contribution to economic development will need the US and Congolese governments to address persistent patterns of corruption and human rights abuses in the […]

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DR Congo: Engage Communities in Ebola Response

The Congolese government and international partners should prioritize community engagement and limit the role of security forces in responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The government and its partners need to overcome years of conflict, abuse, and neglect that have strained healthcare systems and eroded trust and that risk complicating […]

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Georgia Jails Activist for Peaceful Protest

Georgia’s crackdown on dissent reached a dangerous new low last month when a Tbilisi court sentenced activist Zurab Menteshashvili to nine months in prison for participating in a peaceful protest. The case highlights how Georgia’s recent protest-related legislative amendments are being used to turn peaceful acts of dissent into criminal offenses. On May 29, the […]

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HRP Associate Director Abadir Ibrahim Co-Authors New Article on International Climate Law – Harvard Law School

HRP Associate Director Abadir Ibrahim Co-Authors New Article on International Climate Law HRP Associate Director, Dr. Abadir M. Ibrahim, and Florida International University College of Law Assistant Professor, Dr. Angela Hefti, have published a new article on “Contributions of the African Human Rights System to International Climate Law”.   Published in Vol. 51 of the Yale […]

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US States Dismantle Voting Bans Rooted in Racism

In recent weeks, several states have taken steps towards restoring the voting rights of people with felony convictions. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland signed on May 12 HB 115 and SB 241, legislation that will automatically register people to vote following the completion of their felony sentence. Similarly, the Missouri legislature passed on May 28 HB 1871, a […]

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EU increases support to contain Ebola outbreak

Commissioner for crisis management Hadja Lahbib has announced €16.5 million in additional EU support to stop the Ebola outbreak, after visiting frontline responders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and engaging with the African Union and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Ethiopia. This includes:  €6.5 million to strengthen […]

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US: Global Health Aid Tied to Harmful Conditions

(Washington, DC) – The United States government is conditioning lifesaving health assistance on broad access to surveillance data and extractive rights to pathogen samples and data for pharmaceutical development, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch issued an assessment of seven bilateral health agreements signed in late 2025 with Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Liberia, […]

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Hungarian Prosecutors Drop Pride-Related Charges

Hungarian prosecutors announced on June 4 that they had dropped charges against a mayor and a civic activist for their roles in organizing 2025 Pride events in Budapest and Pécs. The charges, which were brought under Fidesz-era anti-LGBT legislation, were part of the former government’s crackdown on civic space and LGBT rights. Prosecutors had filed criminal charges this […]

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