Human rights lawyer gunned down amid turmoil in Africa’s last absolute monarchy | The Globe and Mail

The assassination of a prominent human-rights lawyer has rocked the small kingdom of Eswatini in the latest eruption of violence after years of brutal crackdowns on pro-democracy activists in Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

‘Legal disgrace’: Russia shuts down its oldest human rights group | Al Jazeera

A Moscow court has ordered the closure of Russia’s oldest human rights organisation, the Moscow Helsinki Group, silencing another respected institution as a political crackdown continues.

Nobel laureate wants more to help probe Russian war crimes | ABC News

A Ukrainian human rights lawyer who shared last year’s Nobel Peace Prize is calling for more international investigative and legal help to deal with the staggering amount of war crimes cases since Russia invaded its neighbour almost a year ago.

Israel raid in Jenin kills nine Palestinians in ‘massacre’ | Middle East Eye

At least nine Palestinians, including an elderly woman, were killed in an Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank yesterday.

Missing Mexican environmentalists’ families accuse mining company | The Guardian

Relatives of two missing Mexican environmentalists are pointing the finger at a transnational mining company which they claim is responsible for environmental destruction and violence in the rural community, and may have links to the criminals who abducted their loved ones.

White House taps first North Korean human rights envoy in six years | The Washington Post

The White House has nominated a special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, taking a step to fill the position that has remained vacant for six years.

Colombia reports 215 human rights defenders murdered in 2022 | AP News

Colombia’s human rights watchdog is reporting that 215 human rights advocates were killed last year, the highest death toll since a peace accord was signed with leftist rebels in 2016.

Turkey’s top court rejects delay to opposition party closure trial | Al Arabiya

Turkey’s top court has rejected a Kurdish-backed opposition party’s request to defer until after May elections a trial that could end in the party’s dissolution.

Dozens of Covid-19 protesters still behind bars in China | The Straits Times

Dozens of demonstrators are still detained in China after taking part in widespread protests against the government in 2022, Human Rights Watch has said, adding that the whereabouts of some remain unknown.

Sri Lankan student activist ordered to be remanded further | Colombo Gazette

Student activist Wasantha Mudalige has been ordered to be remanded further until 8th February.