The UN Human Rights Council Thursday voted at a special session to create an independent fact-finding mission to investigate alleged human rights violations against peaceful protestors in Iran. The council requested the 35th special session in response to the nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police [...]

The UK government Thursday rejected a proposed legislative amendment to allow judges to dismiss legal cases brought by wealthy oligarchs or businesses to silence journalists and critics. The amendment, tabled by MP Liam Byrne, was aimed at addressing “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation” (SLAPPs), through which wealthy individuals often use defamation or privacy laws to [...]

Australia Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek Thursday announced that the federal government will legislate new protections for Aboriginal cultural heritage sites following a report that mining giant Rio Tinto destroyed a sacred 46,000-year-old site at Juukan Gorge. However, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Cooperation released a statement saying they were “angry and disappointed” [...]

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 [...]