UN experts on Monday decried the ongoing attacks on Sudan’s hospitals and medical personnel, calling on the international community to take concrete action to protect the country’s collapsing health care system. The UN experts highlighted that systematic attacks on Sudan’s health care system have been ongoing. The attacks persist despite the unanimous adoption of resolution [...]

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Friday warned that Israel’s new death penalty law for Palestinians is racially discriminatory, a “retrogression” of human rights, and constitutes segregation. The Committee, a body made up of 18 independent experts, urged Israel to repeal the law immediately and “ensure that all Palestinian detainees held [...]

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday delivered an order on reparations for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz (Al Hassan) in Timbuktu between April 2, 2012, and January 29, 2013, when the Malian city was occupied by jihadist forces. Presiding Judge Kimberly Prost, in [...]

The European Parliament on Tuesday approved a landmark bill creating protections for cats and dogs. The bill, first proposed in December 2023, establishes regulations for “EU standards for the breeding, housing, traceability, import and handling of cats and dogs.” It was adopted on Tuesday with 558 votes in favor, 35 against, and with 52 abstentions.  The bill [...]

UN experts on Monday raised alarm over allegations of poor conditions, inhumane treatment, and other international law violations at a Belarus detention center. Following confidential meetings with a Navapolatsk Correctional Colony psychologist, experts heard reports of “detainees…subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, disciplinary sanctions and physical punishments after suicide attempts, denial  of essential medical care.” Detainees [...]

The Japanese government on Tuesday approved revisions to its defense equipment and technology framework, lifting restrictions on overseas weapons exports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated: “In today’s increasingly severe security environment, no country can safeguard its own peace and security alone.” She expressed support for providing partnered and allied countries with defensive technology and equipment. [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and several other human rights organizations on Thursday issued a joint statement urging the government of the Republic of Maldives to withdraw plans to end its death penalty moratorium and introduce capital punishment for drug-related crimes. HRW warned that the Maldives’ recent proposal would violate its obligations under international law, including [...]

Haitian National Police on Monday announced the arrest of five people and two employees of the Institute for the Safeguarding of National Heritage (ISPAN) involved in a stampede at the Citadelle Laferrière. The incident at the mountaintop heritage site was reportedly a result of “severe overcrowding, linked in particular to deficiencies in crowd management measures” [...]

Amnesty International on Monday urged Venezuelan authorities to ensure that a newly enacted amnesty law is employed justly and impartially, following reports of arbitrary application. The rights group expressed concerns that Venezuelan courts have selectively applied the law, which grants “full and general” amnesty for people detained or convicted for political offenses. While many political [...]

Australia’s online safety regulator on Tuesday raised concerns over compliance by major social media platforms with the country’s social media ban for minors, warning that it is currently investigating the matter. The regulatory body, eSafety, released a compliance report showing “a number of poor practices that give rise to compliance concerns,” including “enabling” minors to [...]