Counter-terrorism 'rhetoric' used to justify rise of surveillance technology: human rights expert

Counter-terrorism ‘rhetoric’ used to justify rise of surveillance technology: human rights expert

In a report to the latest session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, warned of an alarming increase in the use of “intrusive and high-risk technologies”, according to a press release issued by the UN human rights office (OHCHR). This…

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Syria rights investigators back calls for earthquake ‘failures’ probe

Syria rights investigators back calls for earthquake ‘failures’ probe

The Commission of Inquiry on Syria pointed to “failures that hindered the delivery of urgent and lifesaving aid” to the largely opposition-held northwest region, in the days after the 6 February quakes. Humanitarian assessments point to more than 7,000 people killed in Syria by the natural disaster. Rescue equipment lacking At a press conference in…

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Bahrain canceled the visas of Human Rights Watch representatives

Bahrain canceled the visas of Human Rights Watch representatives

Bahrain International Airport Bahrain canceled visas issued to Human Rights Watch representatives to attend an international parliamentary conference. This would be the first time since 2012 that Human Rights Watch (HRW) representatives would visit the Gulf country. The 146th session of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) will begin in Bahrain from Saturday. HRW has permanent…

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USA: Sanctions against individuals abroad violates due process rights

USA: Sanctions against individuals abroad violates due process rights

UN Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan said the practice raises concerns about rights violations, including the right to due process, as enshrined under a decades-old international treaty.  Longstanding practice  “The United States has for years been imposing sanctions on individuals and entities without national criminal jurisdiction and in the absence of universal jurisdiction,” she said.  …

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Impunity drives cycles of ‘horrific’ crimes in South Sudan, Human Rights Council hears

Impunity drives cycles of ‘horrific’ crimes in South Sudan, Human Rights Council hears

“It is hard to imagine peace while State actors continue to be involved in gross human rights violations,” said Commission member Barney Afako, presenting the latest report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. “A true demonstration of the Government’s stated commitments to peace and human rights would involve dismissing the responsible officials and initiating…

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UN rights chief calls for fresh thinking to tackle global challenges

UN rights chief calls for fresh thinking to tackle global challenges

The current human rights landscape is compounded by conflict, discrimination, poverty, shrinking civic spaces, and the emergence of new human rights challenges such as the rise of artificial intelligence and surveillance, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk noted. “Fresh thinking, political leadership, renewed commitments, and dramatically scaled-up financing, with the centrality of human…

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Eritrea: human rights situation remains dire amid complete impunity

Eritrea: human rights situation remains dire amid complete impunity

Addressing the Human Rights Council, Nada Al-Nashif warned that serious violations of people’s basic freedoms in Eritrea have continued “and show no sign of improvement”. Military servitude In addition to the longstanding problem of indefinite military service – which intensified during the recent Tigray conflict in Ethiopia – Ms. Al-Nashif insisted that the agreed withdrawal of the Eritrean…

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UN’s commission on women opens amid vanishing progress on rights

UN’s commission on women opens amid vanishing progress on rights

Over the next two weeks, participants from across the world – including representatives from governments, the UN, civil society and youth groups, as well as activists – will examine how gender equality, empowerment and sustainable development can be achieved in the digital era.  The meeting, known as CSW67, will also highlight online violence and other…

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Rights experts concerned over intimidation around mega tourism project in Indonesia

Rights experts concerned over intimidation around mega tourism project in Indonesia

The Mandalika project includes parks, resorts, hotels and a motorcycle racetrack hosting international sporting events. It is located on Lombok island, in impoverished West Nusa Tenggara Province.  The experts said they have received alarming accounts of alleged human rights violations committed by police and military forces, including excessive use of force to evict and restrict…

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