China: Human rights lawyer Wang Yu returns home after ‘banned from contact with outside world | South China Morning Post

A prominent Chinese human rights lawyer who went missing soon after being given an International Women’s Day award by the US government said today she had arrived home safely after being banned from contacting the outside world for almost a week.

Azerbaijan: Human rights lawyer Shahla Humbatova disbarred | OC Media

A court in Azerbaijan has approved the disbarment of Shahla Humbatova, one of the last remaining human rights lawyers in the country.

Spain: EU ‘complicit in Spain’s abuse of human rights’ after MEPs lose immunity | The National

Lifting the immunity of three Catalan MEPs makes the European Parliament “complicit” in Spain’s abuse of human rights, one of their lawyers has said.

Brazil: Top judge annuls Lula convictions, opening door to 2022 run | France24

A Supreme Court judge has annulled the criminal convictions against Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, restoring his political rights ahead of next year’s presidential election.

Thailand: Government considers expanding jails as it arrests more political prisoners | The Guardian

Thailand is considering an expansion of prison space as it arrests more political prisoners, the justice minister has said.

Israel: Military courts for Palestinians are a stain on international justice | The Guardian

A new report by the UK charity War on Want exposes how a core part of what sustains that occupation is a military judicial system characterised by violations of international law.

EU moves closer to sanctions for human rights violations in six countries | POLITICO

EU countries yesterday moved a step closer to adopting new sanctions for human rights abuses in Russia, China, North Korea, Libya, Eritrea and Sudan.

Iraq: Outspoken father of missing activist killed in Iraq’s south | Al Jazeera

The father of a missing Iraqi lawyer and anti-government activist, who waged a public campaign trying to bring to account a militia suspected of abducting him, has been shot dead.

England: Human rights commission asked to examine racism in English cricket | The Guardian

The Equality and Human Rights Commission will be asked to conduct an investigation into racism in English cricket following a number of disturbing revelations from black and Asian players and umpires about their experiences in the game.