UN experts welcomed on Thursday the ratification of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), first adopted in June 2023. This ratification is a significant advance for the conservation of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The special rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment and [...]

The UN International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement warned in a report on Wednesday of the prevalent racism against Africans and people of African descent in criminal justice systems worldwide, a violation of international human rights standards. Experts emphasized that discriminatory practices are embedded in law enforcement institutions [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday welcomed the signing of a new law in Brazil designed to protect children’s rights online, describing the legislation as a significant advancement and encouraging the government to further enhance data protection for all citizens. The new law, known as the ECA Digital (for Child and Adolescent Statute), seeks to [...]

In a report to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances raised concerns on Wednesday about the escalating global trend of enforced disappearances targeting land and environmental defenders, particularly in regions with weak rule of law and prevailing impunity. In their report, UN experts found that land defenders [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Zambian authorities on Thursday to investigate the consequences of acid released into a river following the rupture of a dam holding mining waste, which has polluted local soils and affected the livelihoods of citizens. The rights organization stated that reports on the effects of the toxic spill demand that [...]

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Tanzanian authorities on Tuesday to lift the suspension of news platform JamiiForums and protect press freedom ahead of the October 29 elections. CPJ’s regional director, Angela Quintal, criticized the suspension, calling it a clear effort to suppress public debate and restrict access to information. She urged Tanzanian [...]

Amnesty International stated on Thursday that the oil company Shell bears responsibility for cleaning up and remedying historic oil pollution in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, despite the company’s divestment of its Nigerian subsidiary. The organization’s statement follows a letter sent two months ago by seven UN Rapporteurs on Human Rights to Shell and other oil companies, [...]

Amnesty International called on Malawi’s presidential and parliamentary candidates on Thursday to prioritize human rights in their political agendas and ensure that Malawians’ rights are respected before, during and after the country’s September 16 elections. The organization emphasized that the upcoming elections present an opportunity to advance human rights in Malawi, particularly following unmet commitments [...]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the Security Council on Thursday that state authority is collapsing in Haiti as gang violence spreads across the country, disrupting daily life and forcing families to flee their homes. Guterres said that the ongoing armed conflict has created a humanitarian and displacement crisis, leaving six million people in need of [...]

Amnesty International expressed concern Wednesday for the health of imprisoned Vietnamese activist Can Thị Theu, in a letter addressed to the country’s president. The organization called for the immediate release of the human rights defender and stressed that without rapid access to adequate healthcare, her life could be at risk. Amnesty International noted that Can [...]