Wildfire Smoke in North America Threatens Pregnancy Rights The Problem at Hand Wildfire smoke in North America is turning skies hazy and creating unhealthy air that poses a threat to pregnant people’s health. According to Skye Wheeler, senior researcher at the Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch, wildfire smoke […]
Month: June 2023
Examining the Impact and Implications of American Churches’ Initiative to End Israel’s Apartheid
American Churches Launch Initiative to End Israel’s Apartheid On June 6, 2023, a coalition of over 100 faith-based groups launched the Apartheid Free Communities Initiative, an interdenominational campaign seeking to end the crime of apartheid committed against Palestinians. This initiative aims to bring awareness to the discrimination and human rights […]
Health Risks from Wildfire Smog in North America Highlight Climate Change Failures
Amnesty International Director Speaks out About Wildfire Risks Marta Schaaf, the Director of Climate, Economic and Social Justice, and Corporate Accountability Programme at Amnesty International, has voiced her concern over the risks posed by more than 400 wildfires that are currently burning across Canada. The smoke from these wildfires has […]
Lawyers in Myanmar Under Attack Amid Ongoing Political Crisis
Myanmar‘s Crackdown on Defense Counsel: A Threat to Justice System The military coup of February 1, 2021, in Myanmar has resulted in widespread human rights abuses by the military junta. Amongst the many victims, lawyers defending the anti-coup protesters and critics have faced unjust arrests, torture, and mistreatment. The situation […]
Uzbekistan’s Imprisoned Lawyer: A Test of the Country’s Reform
Uzbekistan Should Free Imprisoned Lawyer and Uphold Citizen’s Rights On June 5th, a Tashkent courtroom concluded the trial of blogger and lawyer Daulet Tazhimuratov and 14 other defendants for alleged crimes related to the July 2022 protests in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan‘s autonomous region. While the sentences of 14 defendants were reduced […]
A New Reparations Process Must Be Instituted to Address Germany’s Crimes Against Namibia’s Herero and Nama People
UN urges Germany and Namibia to ensure rights-respecting reparations process The Issue The German and Namibian governments are under scrutiny for their handling of the reparations process for the colonial genocide that Germany committed in Namibia between 1904 and 1908 against the Herero and Nama peoples. The United Nations (UN) […]
The Assault on Democracy in Poland Continues with New Law to Bar People from Public Office
Poland Passes a New Law to Bar People from Public Office, Worsening the Country’s Rule of Law Backsliding On May 31, 2023, Poland enacted a new law that establishes a commission with the authority to investigate “Russian influence” in the country from 2007 to 2022. The commission can also ban […]
The Alarming Rise in Deaths in Custody in Lebanon: A Call to Wake Up
Lebanese Authorities Must Prioritize Prisoners’ Health Amid Soaring Custodial Deaths The latest report by Amnesty International has revealed that custodial deaths in Lebanese Ministry of Interior-run prisons almost doubled in 2022 compared to 2018, the year before the ongoing acute economic crisis began. The numbers increased from 14 in 2015 […]
The Deadly Consequences of Angolan Fuel Price Protests
Angolan Police Fatally Fire on Fuel-Price Protesters The Incident On June 6, 2023, five people were fatally shot by Angolan police during a protest in Huambo province against a recent fuel-price increase. According to the police statement, officers had to resort to lethal force as protesters were violent, destroying properties, […]
Palestinian Experts Warn of Dangers Posed by Autonomous Weapons
Palestinian Forum Highlights Threats of Autonomous Weapons A recent panel on the militarization of digital spaces held during this year’s Palestine Digital Activism Forum discussed the use of autonomous weapons systems by Israeli authorities and the urgent need for an international legal response. The forum, which had over 1,500 participants […]