Rights watch
A round-up of human rights stories from around the world.
‘Accountability and justice’: Gathering digital evidence of war crimes in Ukraine
As the UN Human Rights Council meets to discuss expanding its investigation into war crimes committed in Ukraine, individuals and organisations are gathering their own digital evidence of human rights violations. Social media posts, satellite imagery and online videos are some of the images being used to create a digital archive of war crimes in real time.
Why is Slovakia confiscating minority-owned property?
A World War II decree is used to take land from Hungarian and German minority communities in Slovakia in what amounts to collective punishment.
Australia’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ approach to human rights in India has failed, advocates say
The Australian government has refused to be drawn on human rights in India, prompting accusations it has shelved uncomfortable issues to boost trade and security ties.
German human rights official ‘not welcome’ to visit Egypt
Luise Amtsberg, the German government commissioner for human rights policy and humanitarian aid, cancelled a planned trip to Egypt in February after she was told she would not be welcome, according to a local news report confirmed by her office.
Activist appears targeted at Mexican president’s press brief
A human rights activist in Mexico’s dangerous northern border city of Nuevo Laredo said Wednesday that he suspects the Mexican army — and the government in general — are behind claims linking him to a drug cartel, which could put his life at risk.
The Premier League “needs to re-examine the assurances” it was given about potential Saudi state control of Newcastle United, says human rights group Amnesty International.
Gov’t to enhance human rights of young pop culture artists
The government has decided to devise and implement measures to improve the human rights of children and youths working in the pop culture field, the state human rights watchdog said Thursday.
Blinken Urged to Push for Reforms During Central Asia Trip
As Antony Blinken makes his first visit to Central Asia as U.S. secretary of state this week, the Biden administration says it is focused on supporting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the region’s five former Soviet republics, which maintain strong political, economic and socio-cultural ties with Russia.
UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples starts 10-day visit to Canada
For the first time since being appointed as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, José Francisco Calí Tzay is making an official visit to Canada.
Reassessing Southern EU Democracy Support: The Security Dilemma
Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain have generally been more cautious about prioritizing democracy support policies over other issues such as migration. Their geographical location may help to explain the difference in their strategic interests compared to other EU countries.