UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday urged the Israeli government to abandon proposed legislation that would mandate death sentences solely for Palestinians in specific cases, for committed both in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Türk stated that the proposed legislation is “inconsistent with Israel’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and [...]
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Thursday to defend the island’s sovereignty, just days after Beijing concluded the “Justice Mission 2025” military drills near Taiwan. President Lai pledged in his New Year’s address to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen national defense and the resilience of the whole society, and comprehensively construct an effective deterrence and democratic [...]
Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday signed a new ceasefire agreement, ending weeks of military conflict over disputed territories. Thai Defense Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Seiha signed the joint agreement at the third special meeting of the General Boundary Committee (GBC), reaffirming a previous ceasefire in July and outlining 16 [...]
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Thursday that the Danish “ghetto law” may constitute both direct and indirect discrimination under Council Directive 2000/43/EC. Senior legal advisor at Amnesty International Denmark Dina Hashem commended the decision as an important step in protecting basic human rights. The ECJ noted that the law creates a disparity [...]
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warned on Friday that the Myanmar military junta’s planned elections could only worsen repression and instability rather than restore democracy. OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence described the elections, scheduled for December 28, as a military-controlled process conducted in an environment “rife with threats and violence.” [...]
Democratic lawmaker Rashida Tlaib on Friday introduced a resolution in the US Congress to recognize Israel’s assault on Gaza as a genocide. This resolution, if passed, would officially recognize that the Israeli government has committed the crime of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Co-sponsored by 21 Democratic lawmakers, Resolution H.RES. 876 urges the [...]
The Danish government announced on Friday a national minimum age requirement of 15 years for “certain” social media platforms. The Ministry of Digitalization describes the implementation as “groundbreaking,” noting that Denmark is the first EU country to establish such an age limit on social media. The agreement prohibits children under 15 from self-registering on platforms [...]
UN human rights experts on Friday condemned the Taliban’s internet and social media restrictions in Afghanistan, calling them violations of fundamental rights. The social media restrictions, which began on October 7, target major platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. They follow a two-day, nationwide internet blackout from September 29 to October 1. Prior to this, [...]
Amnesty International on Friday condemned Thailand’s charges against activist and conscientious objector Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, who is facing trial on September 9 for refusing military conscription. The group demanded that Thailand drop all charges, warning that the prosecution violates international human rights law. Netiwit, a former Amnesty International Thailand board member, risks three years in prison [...]
UN human rights experts have called on Pakistan to suspend its planned deportation of millions of Afghan refugees, set to commence on September 1. They warn that the policy violates international law and endangers returnees. The deportations, under Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” now also target Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, many [...]
