Sexual violence systematically used as a weapon of war in the DR Congo

Senior UN officials warned on Wednesday that all parties involved in the conflict are systematically using sexual violence as a tactic of war against civilians. Worsening conditions in the east Escalating attacks by non-State armed groups in eastern DRC have led to a significant surge in sexual violence, predominantly targeting women and children. Rwanda-backed M23 […]

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New Dominican Health Protocol Under Fire for Alleged Discrimination Against Migrants

Amnesty International has sharply criticized the Dominican Republic’s newly introduced health protocol, calling it discriminatory and a potential breach of international human rights obligations. The measures, introduced on April 6, 2025, impose documentation requirements and service fees for migrants seeking access to public healthcare—and mandate deportation following treatment for emergencies, childbirth, or hospitalization. The 15-point […]

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From border control to belonging: How host communities gain from empowering refugees

In 2024, 122 million people were forcibly displaced — a number expected to rise in the coming years, according to Bob Rae, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), addressing a meeting on the pressing issue in New York on Thursday. As population movements become much more complex due to wars disproportionately impacting […]

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Trump Administration Rescinds Protections for Journalists in Leak Investigations

On April 25, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the rescission of a policy implemented during the Biden administration that restricted the Department of Justice (DOJ) from subpoenaing journalists’ records in criminal leak investigations. This policy change signifies a shift towards more aggressive measures in investigating unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information. Policy Reversal Details […]

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Swedish Journalist Faces Terror Charges in Türkiye as Press Freedom Concerns Grow

Turkish prosecutors have filed terrorism and defamation charges against Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, a correspondent for Dagens ETC, over alleged pro-PKK activity and “insulting the president.” Medin, who has extensively reported from Kurdish regions, faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted. His trial is scheduled for April 30, 2025, in an open court […]

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UN Denounces Belarus for Using Psychiatric Detention to Silence Political Dissent

UN human rights experts have issued a sharp rebuke of the Belarusian government, condemning the use of forced psychiatric treatment as a tool to suppress political opposition. In a statement released Thursday by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the experts said at least 33 individuals have been subjected to […]

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President Trump Appointed Federal Judge Orders Return of Deported Venezuelan Asylum Seeker, Citing Settlement Breach

A Trump-appointed federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to arrange the return of a Venezuelan asylum seeker who was deported to El Salvador in violation of a binding court settlement. The decision comes amid rising legal scrutiny over the use of wartime-era deportation authority against migrants. Court: Deportation Violated Settlement U.S. District Judge Stephanie […]

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UN Commend UAE for Advances in Child Protection, but Challenges Remain

The United Nations has commended the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its ongoing efforts to combat the sale, sexual exploitation, and abuse of children, while also urging the country to bolster support systems and improve reporting mechanisms. UN Special Rapporteur Fatima Singhateh, following an 11-day fact-finding visit—the first since 2009—praised the UAE’s commitment to child […]

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Council of Europe Reports Systemic Abuses and Informal Hierarchies in Prisons Across Europe

The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has released its 34th General Report, highlighting significant concerns regarding prison conditions and psychiatric care across Europe. Prison Overcrowding and Informal Hierarchies The CPT reports that many European prisons are operating beyond capacity, leading to overcrowded conditions […]

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Maldives: Judiciary’s Independence Threatened | Human Rights Watch

(Bangkok) – The Maldives government should immediately reinstate three Supreme Court justices who were improperly suspended and cease other efforts to undermine judicial independence, Human Rights Watch said today. The three justices had until April 24, 2025, to respond to a Maldives Judicial Service Commission report recommending their dismissal. On February 26, the Judicial Service Commission […]

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