Human rights
Scotland's third sector has launched a manifesto calling on political parties to back a Human Rights Bill in their 2026 manifestos. The Civil Society Working Group on Incorporation, representing over 20 charities and campaigning organisations, is urging parties to introduce a Scottish Human Rights Bill that incorporates four
Human rights
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, through Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, has expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of violence, mass atrocities, and humanitarian crisis unfolding in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan. Credible reports indicate that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) operations have been accompanied by
Human rights
A new United Nations Human Rights Council report has exposed the systemic and severe barriers Afghan women face in accessing justice, citing exclusion from courts, closed shelters, and rising gender-based violence across the country. The report, compiled by Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, highlights the devastating consequences of government policies on
Human rights
South Africa has strongly condemned the devastating attacks in Sudan, which have deliberately targeted civilians and critical civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) emphasized that there must be no impunity for the serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The
Human rights
The Independent UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran's human rights situation presented its findings to the General Assembly in New York, revealing a devastating picture of rights abuses and repression in the country. Since the Israeli airstrikes in June, Iranian authorities have cracked down on civilians, including lawyers, journalists,
Human rights
A group of Palestinians from Gaza has filed a complaint at Germany's Federal Constitutional Court, challenging the country's arms exports to Israel. The complaint, supported by Palestinian and German rights groups, including the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), alleges that Germany's
Human rights
A wave of violence that engulfed coastal and western central Syria in January 2025 has put the rebuilding of the country at risk, according to an Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria. The violence resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,400 men, women, and children in massacres
Human rights
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao Chapter has come under fire for awarding former President Rodrigo Duterte the Golden Pillar of Law Award, a lifetime recognition for lawyers who have served more than 50 years in the legal profession with good standing. However, critics point out that Duterte&
Human rights
Human rights defenders from 104 visa-restricted countries, mainly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, face numerous obstacles when trying to access short-term visas to travel to Europe's Schengen area for advocacy, networking, or respite from the risks they face due to their work. These obstacles amount to
Human rights
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University proudly conferred the 2025 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy on Professor John H. Knox and Dr. David R. Boyd, recognizing their groundbreaking leadership as successive United Nations Special Rapporteurs on the human right to a healthy environment. The
Human rights
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has reached a devastating turning point, with the fall of El Fasher marking a significant escalation of atrocities against civilians. The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, led by Mohamed Chande Othman, has expressed grave alarm at the systematic and ongoing attacks against civilians, including ethnically
Human rights
As the trial of prominent human rights lawyer Ahmed Souab approaches on 31 October in Tunis, concerns are growing about the credibility of the charges he faces. According to Amnesty International, Ahmed Souab is being prosecuted under unfounded charges, including "forming a terrorist organization" and "spreading fake
