All articles tagged with #humanrights
Pakistan authorities have arrested 11 suspects after a viral video showed a woman and a man being shot dead in an 'honour' killing related to an illegal marriage, highlighting ongoing issues with gender-based violence and family honor crimes in the region.
A Jewish human rights group has issued a travel warning for Australia, advising caution due to concerns over safety and security for Jewish travelers. The warning highlights potential risks and urges travelers to stay informed about local conditions.
Human rights groups report a 43% increase in executions in Iran in 2023, with 834 people executed, the highest count in nine years. The surge is linked to widespread protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, with at least nine protesters executed and a significant increase in drug offense executions. Executions of Balochi Sunni minority members also rose, and public executions tripled. The regime is accused of using capital punishment to instill fear and maintain control, with criticism directed at the lack of international outrage.
Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov, co-chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning group Memorial, has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for "repeatedly discrediting" the Russian military by criticizing the war in Ukraine. Orlov, 70, denounced the case as politically motivated and stated "I don't regret anything and I don't repent anything" in his closing statement. The verdict, which drew support from Western diplomats and activists, reflects the low tolerance for criticism of the war by the Russian government, and is seen as an attempt to silence the human rights movement in Russia.
Russian authorities are seeking a nearly three-year prison sentence for Oleg Orlov, co-chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, for criticizing the war in Ukraine. The prosecution's demand for a harsher punishment underscores the Russian government's intolerance for dissent regarding the invasion of Ukraine. Orlov, who views the trial as absurd, has refused to engage in the proceedings and reiterated his denouncement of the war in Ukraine. The court is set to deliver the verdict in the trial on Tuesday morning.
Iranian protester with a mental health condition, Mohammad Ghobadlou, is set to be executed on Tuesday for the death of a local official during Iran’s 2022 mass demonstrations, despite being under the supervision of a psychiatric hospital for bipolar disorder since the age of 15. Amnesty International criticized the death sentences, citing unfair trials and failure to order rigorous mental health assessments. The surge in executions in Iran reflects the government's crackdown on nationwide protests and efforts to instill fear among anti-regime protesters.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Russia's Bashkortostan to protest the imprisonment of activist Fayil Alsynov, who was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of "inciting interethnic hatred," which he denies. The protests were met with a heavy police presence, resulting in the arrest of several participants. Additionally, the authorities have launched criminal cases and warned of severe penalties for those involved in earlier protests. Alsynov has been an activist for over 15 years, advocating for the rights of the indigenous Bashkir people, and maintains that his words were mistranslated from his native language of Bashkir into Russian.
Thousands of people protested in Bashkortostan in support of activist Fayil Alsynov, who was sentenced to four years in a penal colony on charges of “inciting interethnic hatred.” The protests were met with violence from riot police, injuring at least 40 people. Alsynov has been engaged in activist work in Bashkortostan for over 15 years, and his speech against illegal mining led to his arrest. The republic's leader, Radiy Khabirov, has been accused of targeting Alsynov due to his enduring popularity and the success of previous protests. Despite the crackdown, calls for new rallies in the capital Ufa continue.
Two Malaysian filmmakers have been charged with "wounding the religious feelings of others" for their now-banned independent film "Mentega Terbang," which explores a Malay Muslim teenage girl's exploration of religion while her mother battles a terminal illness. The charge carries a potential jail term of one year and a fine. The government banned the film in September following criticism from conservative Muslim groups, prompting the filmmakers to plead not guilty and file a legal challenge against the ban. Human Rights Watch has criticized the prosecution as a violation of freedom of expression and urged the government to lift the ban on the film.
China is rebranding its Xinjiang region, known for allegations of human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims, as a tourist destination. CBS News joined a state-arranged tour, which showcased local culture and development but avoided any mention of the controversial detention centers. Despite the government's claims of closing "re-education centers," evidence of heavy surveillance and restrictions on Uyghur culture and religion remain. The rebranding effort includes promoting Han Chinese influence and renaming cities with Mandarin names, while presenting the government's crackdown as a fight against terrorism and extremism. Critics argue that the suppression of an entire ethnic group cannot be justified as a counter-terrorism measure.
Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian mass murderer responsible for the deaths of 77 people in 2011, is suing the Norwegian state for a second time, alleging human rights breaches due to his solitary confinement conditions. Despite being held in a well-equipped prison complex, Breivik's lawyer argues that his isolation from the outside world and restrictions on communication violate his rights. Previous legal attempts were overturned, and his 2022 parole request was denied due to a lack of rehabilitation. The trial will take place without a livestream to prevent Breivik from gaining publicity.
Amichai Eliyahu, a far-right Israeli minister, has sparked controversy by suggesting that Israel should find ways to break the morale of Gazans that are "more painful than death," including home destruction and forced immigration. This follows his previous extreme statement about dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza. His party, Otzma Yehudit, is known for its hardline stance on settlements and control over Gaza. Hamas has condemned these statements as war crimes and called for international intervention. Arab leaders have also rejected any forced expulsion of Palestinians.
The United Arab Emirates has confirmed the mass trial of 84 inmates, including a prominent activist, during the COP28 climate talks. The state-run news agency reported that the defendants are charged with forming a secret organization to commit acts of violence and terrorism. Most detainees are said to be members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The trial, which has been under preparation for six months, is ongoing, and all accused have legal representation. Human rights groups have highlighted the case, particularly that of Ahmed Mansoor, a 2015 human rights award recipient, and Nasser bin Ghaith, an academic detained since 2015. The UAE's strict laws on expression and political organization were also noted during the COP28, where protests were limited.
In the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, an IDF missile strike resulted in the deaths of six young individuals and injuries to seven others. The Israeli army initially blocked ambulances from reaching the scene and Border Police were reported to have assaulted the wounded. This incident is part of a series of violent incursions into the camp, which have become a frequent occurrence, leading to significant destruction and escalating tensions in the region.
In Bangladesh, ahead of the elections, a widow recounts her husband's death in jail, alleging he was tortured due to his involvement with the opposition party BNP. Human rights organizations report a rise in abuses under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, with the BNP boycotting the elections due to a crackdown on dissent. The government denies silencing critics, but with thousands of BNP supporters detained, the legitimacy of the elections is under scrutiny.