Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported Tuesday on the Israeli government’s plan for increased settler transfers into the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, calling the decision a “clear statement of intent to commit war crimes.” The $334 million plan was adopted on April 17, foreseeing full development by 2030. The government purports to make the small town [...]

A group of 15 rights organizations sent a joint letter on Sunday to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning her government’s proposed anti-espionage law and foreign agents registration act. The organizations caution the government to ensure the laws are consistent with legal obligations, writing: While we recognize that protecting national security and tackling the unlawful [...]

Rights organizations released a joint statement Wednesday condemning the UK’s conviction of pro-Palestine organizers Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham. Organizations spoke of “grave concerns” over the broader impacts of these convictions, writing: Many of the human rights we cherish–civil liberties, workers’ protections, votes for women, environmental safeguards–were won through protest. Recasting those same forms of [...]

The UN and the European Union on Monday released their final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), estimating Gaza’s recovery needs at $71.4 billion over the next decade. The RDNA advocated for a sustained ceasefire and calls on the international community to mobilize resources to address these concerns in a “targeted, sequenced, coordinated manner.” [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported Thursday that Chinese authorities are increasing their pressure on “underground” Catholic communities to join the state-controlled church. The recent intensification includes subjecting clergy to intense political or ideological training. Greater restrictions have also been imposed on religious activities on official church premises, including registration requirements for church services and the [...]

The Trump administration fired six more immigration judges on Friday, adding to growing dismissals as judges and lawyers continue to push for a more independent judicial immigration system. The newly fired judges are now among over 100 fired so far in Donald Trump’s second term. The number of US immigration judges has reportedly diminished by [...]

UN Special Rapporteurs on Thursday condemned an ongoing strategy by Russian authorities to silence dissent, human rights advocacy, and anti-war expression. They warned that this represents a “systematic dismantling” of civil society under the guise of protecting national security and public safety. Over 343 organizations have been deemed “undesirable,” 1,173 individuals and groups have been [...]

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Wednesday condemned the massive wave of Israeli military strikes across Lebanon that reportedly killed hundreds and injured thousands, including civilians. Türk called the attacks “appalling,” stating: The scale of the killing and destruction in Lebanon today is nothing short of horrific. Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to [...]

The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) requested Thursday that the United Nations secretary-general refer the crisis of enforced disappearances in Mexico to the General Assembly for consideration of response measures. The CED announced that since it began monitoring the situation in 2012 it had received “well-founded indications that enforced disappearances in Mexico have been [...]

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned on Wednesday that repression of freedom of expression across the Middle East has deepened significantly since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran commenced at the end of February. In Iran, approximately 2,345 people have been arrested on charges related to “national security.” Many of these,  as well as more [...]