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 […]
Author: Lee Olivia
Hi, I'm Olivia Lee, a journalist who has covered a wide range of issues related to civil rights and political freedoms. I believe that democracy is a fundamental right, and I'm dedicated to reporting on stories that promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.
“International Action Needed: Kakhovka Dam Destruction Threatens Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine”
International Humanitarian Law Violated by Destruction of Kakhovka Dam The destruction of Kakhovka Dam in the southern part of Ukraine‘s occupied territory by Russia is a catastrophe that endangers the lives of civilians and poses a significant threat to the environment. Marie Struthers, Regional Director, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, […]
“Acquittal of human rights defenders marks a step towards justice in Turkey”
Convictions of Human Rights Defenders in Turkey Quashed The convictions of four human rights defenders, including Taner Kılıç, the Honorary Chair of Amnesty Türkiye, and Idil Eser, the ex-director of Amnesty Türkiye, were quashed by a Turkish court. Although Amnesty International described the ruling as a huge relief, they also […]
Risks Loom as Central African Republic Holds Referendum
Referendum in Central African Republic Poses Risks to Civil Society and Freedom of Expression Background The Central African Republic (CAR) is scheduled to hold a constitutional referendum on July 30, 2023, which could have severe implications for civil society and democratic progress in the country. The proposed constitutional amendments aim […]
The Economic and Political Costs of EU’s Migration Paranoia
European Union’s Trade and Development Scheme Jeopardized by Migration Paranoia The Issue The European Union’s (EU) external policies are being threatened by European governments’ obsession with curbing immigration. The Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which grants trade preferences to low- and middle-income countries for poverty reduction and sustainable development, is […]
Tanzania’s Brutal Treatment of Maasai People During Forced Evictions
Amnesty International Reports Tanzanian Authorities’ Forced Evictions and Brutal Treatment of the Maasai People Amnesty International released a report on June 23rd, 2023, detailing how Tanzanian authorities forcibly evicted members of the Maasai Indigenous community from their ancestral lands in Loliondo, Tanzania, with excessive force and without due process. The […]
The Oversight of Fossil Fuels in the Plastic Treaty Negotiations
Role of Fossil Fuels Absent at Plastics Treaty Negotiations Overview Despite the conclusion of the second round of United Nations Environment Programme’s plastics treaty negotiations in Paris last week with a mandate for a “zero draft” of the treaty to be prepared by the negotiating committee’s chair prior to this […]
Costa Rica’s Urgent Need to Ban Invasive Spyware
The Urgency of a Global Ban on Highly Invasive Spyware The world is at a crossroads as the spyware crisis continues to pose a fundamental threat to the privacy and security of individuals, especially human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society. Ahead of the RightsCon summit on human rights in […]
Forced Relocation of Refugees, Including Children, in Malawi Raises Concerns
Malawi‘s Refugee Crisis: Forced Relocation and Violations of Human Rights In an egregious violation of basic human rights, the Malawian authorities have forcibly relocated 902 refugees and asylum seekers across the country without regard for their basic rights, according to Human Rights Watch. The roundups of refugees and asylum seekers […]
Angola’s Government Must Address the Root Causes of Street Traders’ Grievances
Angolan Police Violently Disperse Street Traders’ Protest, Sparking Outcry On June 2, 2023, reports of excessive and unnecessary force used by Angolan police to disband a peaceful protest by women street traders, known locally as “zungueiras,” in the capital, Luanda, sparked international outcry. The vendors were protesting the city’s decision […]