International human rights charities Redress and Free Nazanin Wednesday released a report describing Iranian authorities’ actions, especially in the midst of the nationwide Mahsa Amini protests, as “state hostage-taking.” The nearly 50-page report argues Iran has institutionalized state hostage-taking through the practice of arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of foreign and dual nationals to obtain diplomatic [...]

A group of Tanzanian villagers Wednesday filed legal action with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the mining company Barrick Gold for a number of human rights violations at its North Mara Gold Mine. It is the first time that the mining company has faced legal action in Canada for human rights violations abroad. [...]

David Eby, premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia, announced an amendment to the 2013 Community Safety Act Tuesday to expand the province’s authority to seize assets amassed by suspected criminals. Under the amendment, unexplained wealth orders (UWO) would target property, vehicles and other luxury goods. The expanded authority would no longer require a [...]

The Turkish Court of Cassation, the country’s highest appellate court, Tuesday overturned convictions against four human rights defenders including Honorary Chair of Amnesty International of Turkey, Taner Kılıç. All four were formerly charged with terrorism-related offenses. Amnesty International released a statement celebrating the overturning of the “baseless convictions.” Amnesty International also said the court’s decision [...]

The Law Society of England and Wales Tuesday called for Iranian authorities to comply with international legal obligations to respect fundamental human rights. The call by the largest governing body of UK solicitors comes in the midst of increased arrests and arbitrary detentions of lawyers in Iran over the nationwide Mahsa Amini protests. This is [...]

Malta’s parliament began discussions on Monday to end a total ban on abortions. If passed, the bill would allow abortions if the health of a pregnant person is in “grave jeopardy.” Malta is currently one of only three European countries and the only EU member to ban all abortions no matter the reason. The bill [...]

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) Monday supported the propositions of the Ukrainian delegation and adopted a unanimous resolution recognizing Russia as a “terrorist state” during its 68th Annual Session. The PA passed a series of resolutions calling on the 30 NATO allies to intensify backing for Ukraine’s resistance and support the country’s integration into [...]

Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly Sunday announced additional sanctions on Haitian “political elites,” including Michel Joseph Martelly, who provide operational and financial support to armed gangs in Haiti. The sanctions impose dealings prohibitions on the listed persons and freeze any assets in Canada that they hold. The sanctions are imposed in accordance with [...]

UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab Sunday announced new measures to increase the severity of punishments faced by person incarcerated on terrorism charges who commit offences while in prison. The changes are intended to act as a deterrent for those already behind bars and discourage them from re-offending. The new measures are an agreement between [...]

Hong Kong’s Court of Appeals Monday dismissed a bid by prosecutors to prevent Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy media entrepreneur charged with violating the controversial National Security Law (NSL), from having a UK barrister on his legal defense team. In October, Lai pleaded not guilty on NSL collusion charges. Under the NSL, a jury trial can [...]