‘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 […]

Continue Reading

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 […]

Continue Reading

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 […]

Continue Reading

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 […]

Continue Reading

UN Highlights Ongoing Landmine Crisis in Afghanistan, Highly Concerned of Effects

Afghanistan remains one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world due to landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), a situation that continues to threaten the lives of millions of its citizens. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) raised alarms over the scale of the landmine issue, noting that it significantly […]

Continue Reading

Over 10,000 Migrant Deaths Recorded in 2024 Attempting to Reach Spain: A Stark Reflection of Systemic Failures

In 2024, more than 10,000 migrants tragically lost their lives while trying to reach Spain, a harrowing increase of over 50% compared to the previous year. This alarming figure, reported by the Spanish non-governmental organization Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders), highlights the continuing dangers faced by migrants attempting perilous sea routes to Europe. The group’s “Monitoring […]

Continue Reading

Egypt’s Catastrophic Draft Criminal Procedure Code

This week, Egypt’s parliament rushed to approve, “in principle,” a government proposed draft bill to replace the country’s 1950 Criminal Procedure Code. The Lawyers’ Syndicate, the Journalists’ Syndicate, human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch, political parties, and United Nations independent experts have all expressed strong opposition to the draft. Rather than rushing the draft—discussed mostly secretively by a parliamentary subcommittee for months—through the overwhelmingly […]

Continue Reading

Sanctioning Georgian Dream Founder Bidzina Ivanishvili

The United States is designating Bidzina Grigoris Dze Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation. Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream’s actions have eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms […]

Continue Reading

China Detains Blogger for Reporting on Farmers’ Protest Against Forced Land Seizures

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for the immediate release of Liu Hanbin, a Chinese blogger detained for over a month after publishing a video highlighting a protest by farmers in Inner Mongolia against forced land seizures. Liu, who writes under the pseudonym Wen Yi Fan, has been charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” […]

Continue Reading

Kenya Faces Growing Concerns Over Abductions of Government Critics

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has expressed grave concern about the escalating trend of abductions targeting individuals critical of the government. The commission reported that at least 82 people have been abducted since anti-government protests erupted in June 2024, with 29 of them still unaccounted for. These disappearances have raised alarm among […]

Continue Reading