Increasing Crackdown on Journalists in Bangladesh Undermines Freedom of Expression Ahead of Elections Bangladesh has seen a rise in attacks against journalists and other individuals exerting their right to freely criticize government policies and practices. According to eight independent organizations, this poses a significant threat to the condition for open […]
Month: May 2023
“UK Government Urged to Take Action on Human Rights Concerns in Gulf Trade Agreement”
UK Should Prioritize Human Rights Protections in Gulf Trade Agreement, Says Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch has called on the United Kingdom to ensure that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries includes concrete measures to improve labor and other rights for migrant workers. Human […]
Israel’s inhumane treatment of Palestinian prisoners brought to light by Khader Adnan’s death
Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan’s recent death in Israel’s Ramle prison has put the spotlight once again on Israel‘s treatment of Palestinian prisoners. Adnan had spent 87 days on a hunger strike in protest against Israel‘s policy of arbitrary detention that involved cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners. Despite being a […]
Myanmar’s Long Overdue Pardons Should Only Be The Beginning: Release All Unjustly Detained Individuals
Myanmar Military Authorities Release 2,153 Prisoners On 16 February 2022, the Myanmar military authorities announced that they were releasing 2,153 prisoners serving sentences under the 505(a) section of the criminal code, which makes it illegal to promote dissent against the military. The release has been hailed by some as a […]
The Brutal Resurgence of Corporal Punishment in Afghanistan
UN Report Reveals Taliban’s Use of Corporal Punishment and Death Penalty In the aftermath of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, human rights abuses by the Taliban have been widely reported. However, a recent report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has shed light on […]
Expansion of Legal Right to Free Education Brings Hope for Global Education Equity
## Sierra Leone Enshrines Free Education in Law *By Edward Felsenthal* In a world that is changing rapidly, access to free education has become essential for sustainable development and for the growth and success of children. Although international treaties only guarantee a right to free education at the primary level, […]
Maldives Media Crackdown Worsens Amid Threats to Press Freedom
Maldives Backtracks on Press Freedom, Prompting Criticism and Alarm Maldives President Ibrahim Solih’s commitment to press freedom came under scrutiny on World Press Freedom Day, May 3. Despite some initial progress, the space for media freedom has recently shrunk in the Maldives, leaving journalists and civil society groups worried about […]
Myanmar Military’s Enhanced Blast Strike Confirmed as War Crime
Myanmar military’s disregard for human life was once again exposed in a recent attack that took place on April 11, 2023. According to Human Rights Watch, the military used a “thermobaric” munition to attack an opposition building in the Sagaing Region, killing more than 160 people, including children. The incident […]
“Urgent Probe Needed into Shooting of Laos Human Rights Activist ‘Jack'”
Edward Felsenthal Reporting on Urgent Investigation into Shooting of Human Rights Defender in Laos On April 29th, Anousa “Jack” Luangsouphom, a prominent human rights defender in Laos, was attacked in a coffee shop in the Chanthabuly district of the capital Vientiane. Though early reports suggested that Jack had been killed, […]
Zimbabwe opposition leader’s conviction and sentencing highlight growing government crackdown on peaceful dissent
The recent conviction and sentencing of Job Sikhala, a member of parliament for the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), has sparked concerns about an escalating crackdown on peaceful dissent and the right to freedom of expression in Zimbabwe. In a statement released by Amnesty International, Flavia Mwangovya, Deputy Director […]