Extension of the term of the Special Representative for Human Rights of the European Union

Extension of the term of the Special Representative for Human Rights of the European Union

File photo The European Union has extended the term of its Special Representative for Human Rights, Eman Gilmour, by one year. This decision was taken unanimously by all the member states in the meeting of the European Council. Thus, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights will continue to serve until February 2024. In addition,…

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China: Tibetan children forced to assimilate, independent rights experts fear

China: Tibetan children forced to assimilate, independent rights experts fear

“We are very disturbed that in recent years the residential school system for Tibetan children appears to act as a mandatory large-scale programme intended to assimilate Tibetans into majority Han culture, contrary to international human rights standards,” they said in a statement.  Erosion of identity  Residential schools provide educational content and an environment centred around…

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Spain: Rights experts call for probe into claim Catalan leaders were spied on

Spain: Rights experts call for probe into claim Catalan leaders were spied on

“Spanish authorities must conduct a full, fair, and effective investigation into these allegations, publish the findings and stop any unlawful interference into the fundamental rights of the Catalan minority activists in Spain,” they said in a statement.  Top leaders arrested  Following the October 2017 independence referendum, Spain arrested leaders of the Catalonian independence movement on charges…

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Mali: Independent rights experts call for probe into Wagner Group’s alleged crimes

Mali: Independent rights experts call for probe into Wagner Group’s alleged crimes

The rights experts – who include the UN Working Group on Mercenaries – said that a “climate of terror and complete impunity” has surrounded Wagner’s activities in the northwest African country. Systematic killings “We are particularly worried by credible reports that over the course of several days in late March 2022, Malian armed forces accompanied…

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Libya: human rights abuses must be addressed, says UN probe

Libya: human rights abuses must be addressed, says UN probe

The UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya was established by the Human Rights Council in June 2020, to investigate alleged abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed in Libya since 2016. The panel’s latest official visit to Libya which ended on Sunday heard testimony from victims’ relatives of extrajudicial killings, torture,…

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‘All sides need to think about the future they want for Venezuela’, says UN human rights chief

‘All sides need to think about the future they want for Venezuela’, says UN human rights chief

“Following my meeting with President [Nicolás] Maduro, he publicly expressed his readiness to work towards improving the justice system. This is a key area for reform, and I offer the support and expertise of my Office to pursue this,” Volker Türk told reporters in Caracas at the end of his three-day visit.  In addition to Mr. Maduro,…

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