Urgent Focus on Gaza Hostages on Both Sides: Over 100 Individuals Still Held, Calls for Ceasefire and Peace Must Prioritize Their Release

As the world steps into a new year, it is essential to reflect on the tragic human cost of the Gaza conflict, specifically the plight of hostages held on both sides. Over the course of the ongoing violence, hundreds of civilians, journalists, and fighters have been taken hostage, sparking global concern. Hostages represent not just […]

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Global Call for Unbiased Investigation into Gaza Conflict: UN and Human Rights Bodies Demand Accountability

The United Nations, along with other global human rights organizations, has called for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the ongoing conflict in Gaza, particularly regarding the serious allegations made by Israel that hospitals and other civilian infrastructure are being used by militants for military operations. These allegations have formed the basis for several Israeli […]

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Global Toll on Human Rights Activists in 2024: 350 Killed, 1,000 Imprisoned, and Countless Harassed or Repressed

Human rights activists continue to face severe repression worldwide, with increasing instances of incarceration, violence, and even death. Despite the vital work that these activists do to protect freedoms and promote justice, 2024 has witnessed troubling patterns of attacks against them. These attacks are often perpetrated by authoritarian governments, armed groups, and powerful elites determined […]

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Exorbitant Human Cost of Journalism in 2024: 54 Journalists Killed, 550 Imprisoned, and 95 Missing Amid Conflicts and Repressive Regimes

In 2024, the global landscape for journalists has become increasingly perilous, with staggering statistics reflecting the growing violence and repression they face. According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2024 Round-up, 54 journalists have been killed this year, marking a tragic milestone, with a significant portion of those fatalities occurring in conflict zones. The violence, […]

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Ecuador Confirms Identity of charred bodies as Four Missing Boys: Investigations into Military Involvement Continue

Ecuador’s Attorney General confirmed on Tuesday 31/12/2024 that charred remains discovered in Taura last week belong to four boys who went missing on December 8, sparking national outrage and raising serious questions about the role of the military in their disappearance. Forensic genetic tests confirmed the bodies are those of three teenagers and one child, […]

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Understanding the International Court of Justice (ICJ): Process, Inclusivity, and Access to Legal Services

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) stands as the principal judicial body of the United Nations, established to settle legal disputes between states and provide advisory opinions on international legal questions. Unlike national courts, which deal with disputes between individuals, the ICJ’s jurisdiction is primarily limited to cases involving states, although its decisions can have […]

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‘Absolutely the wrong path,’ Türk warns against Afghanistan’s ban on women in NGOs

The measure, issued by the de facto Ministry of Economy on 26 December, enforces a two-year-old decree prohibiting women from working with both national and international NGOs.  In his statement, Mr. Türk emphasised the devastating impact on the delivery of critical humanitarian aid in Afghanistan the decree will have, where more than half the population […]

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UNHCR urges greater support for people fleeing post-election violence in Mozambique

The violence comes after the top court in Mozambique confirmed on 23 December that the ruling Frelimo party won the disputed presidential election held in October, sparking protests. The southern African country is also still recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Chido, which hit just weeks ago.  The current situation is hampering vital humanitarian […]

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New UN Cybercrime Treaty Primed for Abuse

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention against Cybercrime on December 24, despite widespread concerns that the treaty will facilitate human rights violations. The convention, the first global treaty of its kind, extends far beyond addressing cybercrime – malicious attacks on computer networks, systems, and data. It obligates states to establish broad electronic surveillance powers to investigate and […]

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UN chief hails ‘peacemaker, human rights champion’, former President Jimmy Carter

The Democratic Party icon lived longer than any president in US history, serving one term between 1977 and 1981, going on burnish his reputation on the international stage by being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and establishing a major hub for diplomacy and conflict resolution in the form of the Carter Center – which advocates […]

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