(OPINION) The true scale and nature of the violence against protesters are yet to be uncovered. This is not an easy task, especially following the protests and, since Sept. 19, the U.N. reported prolonged internet disruptions in Tehran, Kurdistan provinces and other parts of the country.
Read More(OPINION) On Aug. 31, the U.N. concluded that “serious human rights violations” against the Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim communities have been committed in Xinjiang. China continues to deny the allegations and brands them as propaganda.
Read More(OPINION) The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is a day designated by the U.N. to combat intolerance, discrimination and violence against persons based on religion or belief. Over the recent years, we have witnessed several cases of the most egregious atrocities where religion or belief have been abused as a tool of discrimination and violence resulting in atrocities.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The Gambia initiated proceedings against Myanmar, alleging it has been involved in atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims, including “killing, causing serious bodily and mental harm, inflicting conditions that are calculated to bring about physical destruction, imposing measures to prevent births, and forcible transfers, (which) are genocidal in character because they are intended to destroy the Rohingya group in whole or in part.”
Read More(OPINION) On June 2, the U.S. State Department delivered its annual report to Congress on international religious freedom. The report identifies the numerous challenges to the right to freedom of religion or belief worldwide. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized some of the main findings of this in-depth research into the situation around the world.
Read More(OPINION) In May 2022, United Nations officials — including Michelle Bachelet, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights — are to visit Xinjiang, China, to investigate the allegations of serious human rights violations. This is the first time in over a decade that China is to host the U.N. human rights chief.
Read More(OPINION) The persecution and discrimination of the Hazaras group in Afghanistan continue, violently and deadly. This year, unlike other attacks, the international community has shown little interest in holding the perpetrators accountable and providing protection for the victims.
Read More(OPINION) The impact of the beginning of the new war crosses local borders, and to try to prevent an even more serious situation, countries begin to impose economic sanctions and take judicial measures against the Russian government.
Read More(OPINION) Oxford Forum for International Development’s conference aims to facilitate dialogue between various stakeholders in international development, starting conversations through a conference among students, researchers, young professionals, policymakers, practitioners and leaders on what it means to build back better.
Read More(OPINION) In February 2022, lawyers for the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, a nongovernmental organization, applied for a judicial review of whether the Canadian government’s inaction amid the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China violates its international obligations.
Read More(OPINION) Recent years have seen several incidents in India that should have raised the alarm and should have been monitored and analyzed along the lines of the serious risk of genocide and other atrocities. These incidents include the government’s systematic discrimination against the Muslim minority in India.
Read More(OPINION) Female genital mutilation stands for more than a medical procedure that inflicts temporary pain and suffering. FGM is a severe violation of human rights of women and girls. FGM is a human rights violation that results in physical and psychological consequences that women and girls have to deal with for the rest of their lives.
Read More(OPINION) The 2022 Beijing Games are surrounded by controversy. The Chinese government is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. Evidence shows the Uyghur people are held in concentration camps, forcibly sterilized and subjected to forced labor, torture, rape and sexual violence.
Read More(OPINION) It is only February, and 2022 has brought enough concerning news for refugees. It is estimated that 82.4 million people are displaced worldwide, 42% of whom are children. For 51 million, displacement is a result of flaring conflict and violence. Most new displacements occurred in Africa. This trend will continue.
Read More(OPINION) Open Doors’ newly published World Watch List reveals significant changes in the situation of Christian minorities around the world. According to the research, the persecution of Christians has reached the highest levels since the World Watch List began nearly 30 years ago.
Read More(OPINION) The conflict in Ethiopia continues to take new victims. Shortly after it began in November 2020, evidence of mass killings of several hundred people in the western Tigray town of Mai Kadra, started to emerge. In 2021, the U.N. raised its concerns regarding the emerging humanitarian crisis and the risk of famine.
Read More(OPINION) Recent years have seen a crackdown on human rights and democracy in Hong Kong. Within a few months, three pro-democracy outlets disappeared from Hong Kong. Nonetheless, Hong Kong authorities have rejected claims of a crackdown and denied targeting the media.
Read More(OPINION) Since a military takeover in February 2021 and a severe COVID-19 outbreak, Myanmar has faced an unprecedented crisis, with 14 out of 15 regions within the critical threshold for acute malnutrition. A recent UN report suggests that 14.4 million people will need aid in some form.
Read More(OPINION) On Dec. 17, the U.N. Human Rights Council, during its 33rd special session on Ethiopia, adopted a resolution establishing an international commission of experts on Ethiopia to conduct an investigation into allegations of human rights violations and abuses by all parties to the conflict.
Read More(OPINION) On Dec. 9 — as the U.N. was marking the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime — the Uyghur Tribunal published its findings that China has committed genocide, crimes against humanity and torture against Uyghur, Kazakh and other ethnic minorities.
Read More