Bahrain’s High Criminal Court held its first hearing Sunday in a national security case involving 19 defendants accused of forming and operating a terrorist organization linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The case concerns 19 individuals, of whom 11 are currently in custody and eight remain at large. Prosecutors allege the group sought [...]

Swiss voters on Sunday rejected a constitutional initiative to cap the country’s permanent resident population at 10 million by 2050, with 54% opposing the measure in a national referendum, and with voter turnout exceeding 58%—evidence of strong democratic engagement, according to the Federal Council, the Swiss cabinet. The initiative aimed to constitutionally cap Switzerland’s permanent [...]

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accused Iran Tuesday of interfering with a short-wave radio frequency used to broadcast independent Farsi-language news into the country. RSF said interference recently appeared on the 15,500 kHz frequency used by a station it launched with Radio For Peace International to provide independent news coverage to Iranian audiences. The broadcasts were [...]

The UK government is urging technology companies to introduce device controls that would prevent children from sending, receiving and viewing sexually explicit images. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned Monday that legislation could follow if companies fail to act. Starmer said technology companies should develop tools that stop minors from exchanging nude images on their devices. [...]

UN human rights experts called on Brazil Friday to ensure full justice, accountability and reparations for victims and families affected by the 2006 “Crimes of May.” They warned that continued impunity worsens the suffering of victims and perpetuates systemic racism and police violence. The experts said the killings and enforced disappearances should be recognized as [...]

Judge Santiago Pedraz of Spain’s National Court issued a judicial order Wednesday directing the Civil Guard’s Central Operational Unit (UCO) to obtain documents, electronic records, accounting materials, and internal communications from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) headquarters. The court authorized a search and seizure operation if the party fails to voluntarily comply with the [...]

The Karkh Criminal Court in Iraq on Monday sentenced four individuals to six years in prison for promoting the ideology of the banned Ba’ath Party. The court found the defendants guilty of belonging to and promoting Ba’ath Party ideas, including possession of prohibited materials on their mobile phones, in Kirkuk province during 2025 and 2026. [...]

Zimbabwe authorities have intensified a crackdown on student leaders opposing a proposed constitutional amendment that would extend presidential and parliamentary terms, said Human Rights Watch, adding that the pattern of repression includes abductions, arrests and alleged ill-treatment targeting those tied to opposition activity. The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026 would extend political [...]

A Russian court in St. Petersburg held Monday that the Russian LGBT Network is an “extremist organization,” followed by a nationwide ban on its activities. Amnesty International condemned the ruling as a misuse of anti-extremism legislation to target sexual minorities. According to the group, the decision came after the Russian Ministry of Justice requested closed [...]

A Kuwait court acquitted US-Kuwaiti journalist, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, of all charges, which is expected to end a 52-day detention that has drawn international concern about press freedom and expanding restrictions on speech related to national security. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomed the decision, with CEO Jodie Ginsberg expressing relief at the outcome following [...]