UN human rights experts expressed concern Thursday over the repeated denial of adequate medical treatment for Yang Li, a Chinese human rights defender. In the statement, the experts warned: “The arrest and indictment of Yang Li appear to represent an effort by the authorities to prevent her from peacefully exercising her rights to seek redress for [...]

The Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday sentenced former South Korea first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for political favors. The court found Kim guilty of accepting luxury gifts, including Chanel bags and a diamond pendant, from officials associated with the Unification Church. In its verdict, [...]

The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern about the deteriorating security situation in northeast Syria. This follows renewed violent clashes between Syrian government troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) despite a ceasefire agreement, creating a security vacuum that reportedly led to the escape of some detained Islamic State of Iraq and the [...]

In a Vatican speech on Friday, Pope Leo XIV voiced concern regarding the erosion of respect for human rights and what he termed the modern world’s “zeal for war.”  He emphasized that the fundamental prohibition against violating sovereign borders has been completely undermined, lamenting that “war is back in vogue, and a zeal for it [...]

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Wednesday condemned Israel’s suspension of numerous aid agencies operating in Gaza, warning that the move worsens an already intolerable situation for the people in Gaza. Türk urged all states with influence to use their voice to press Israel to immediately allow unhindered aid to enter Gaza. Israel recently [...]

South Korea’s liberal-led legislature passed a bill barring traditional and online news outlets from publishing “false or fabricated information.” The bill authorizes substantial punitive damages targeting the news media and raises concerns about increased censorship. The Conservative Party launched a filibuster, but the Democratic Party ended it 24 hours later and passed the bill with [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday condemned Brazil’s Congress for advancing the General Environmental Licensing Bill, calling on lawmakers to support negotiations at COP30 and ratify the Escazú Agreement. The bill contains controversial provisions that would simplify environmental licensing requirements through developer self-certification and revoke protections for human rights defenders. Brazil’s Senate is scheduled to [...]

The Game Over Israel organization, with support from Athletes 4 Peace, a collective of professional athletes, issued a letter on Tuesday urging the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel over its human rights violations against Palestinians. The letter was signed by more than 70 prominent sports figures, including footballers, cricketers, and boxers. [...]

UN experts on Thursday welcomed the adoption of a landmark declaration promoting development and peace by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The move came at the 47th ASEAN Summit, held October 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development Surya Deva praised the declaration, calling it an “affirmation [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Laotian government on Friday to implement key recommendations regarding enforced disappearances and violations of fundamental civil and political rights. The recommendations include ratifying effective legal measures to prevent enforced disappearance, eliminating all forms of discrimination against women in education, and applying international human rights instruments. After criticizing the [...]