Explore

Human Rights Watch Documents Global Threat of Transnational Repression by Governments

Human Rights Watch Documents Global Threat of Transnational Repression by Governments

Human Rights Watch has extensively documented how governments are increasingly reaching beyond their borders to silence, intimidate, and punish critics abroad, a phenomenon known as transnational repression (TNR). This global threat targets human rights defenders, journalists, civil society activists, and others perceived as threats, often including asylum seekers and recognized refugees. Methods of TNR vary but include surveillance, harassment, intimidation, arbitrary detention, physical attacks, and threats against family members. In 2024, Human Rights Watch published a report detailing over 75 such cases across four regions over the past 15 years, perpetrated by more than two dozen governments. Examples include the killing of a Rwandan refugee in Uganda, the extradition of a Cambodian refugee who was subsequently detained, and the abduction of a Belarusian activist from a commercial airline flight.

UNHCR Seeks Finance Associate in Santo Domingo to Ensure Financial Compliance and Operational Support

UNHCR Seeks Finance Associate in Santo Domingo to Ensure Financial Compliance and Operational Support

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking a Finance Associate to be based in its Santo Domingo office in the Dominican Republic. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all financial activities adhere strictly to UNHCR's administrative instructions, policies, and UN regulations. This role involves providing comprehensive support across various operational functions, including finance, general administration, contract management, budgeting, travel coordination, and fleet management. The Finance Associate will also contribute to other related tasks as per established responsibilities and organizational priorities. This position is crucial for maintaining financial integrity and operational efficiency within the UNHCR's mission in the Dominican Republic, supporting its broader efforts to assist forcibly displaced persons.

Human Rights Watch Seeks Senior Researcher for Israel/Palestine to Document Abuses

Human Rights Watch Seeks Senior Researcher for Israel/Palestine to Document Abuses

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is actively seeking a Senior Researcher for its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Division, specifically to focus on Israel/Palestine. This role involves developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda aimed at improving respect for human rights, encompassing both civil, political, social, and economic rights in the region. The Senior Researcher will be responsible for monitoring and documenting human rights abuses and laws-of-war violations by gathering information from diverse sources, including governments, local media, NGOs, survivors, witnesses, journalists, and security forces. The position also entails writing and publicizing reports, briefing papers, news releases, and submissions to international bodies to disseminate research findings and policy recommendations. HRW emphasizes the need for the researcher to place human rights and humanitarian law issues within their broader political, social, economic, and historical contexts, and to present these concerns to...

Academic Boycotts Exclude Israeli Scientists from Regional Research, Hindering Environmental Cooperation

Academic Boycotts Exclude Israeli Scientists from Regional Research, Hindering Environmental Cooperation

Israeli scientists are increasingly being excluded from regional research and conferences due to academic boycotts, primarily initiated by European parties. This exclusion is hindering vital environmental coordination in the Middle East, despite the transboundary nature of environmental threats like algae blooms, pollution, and extreme weather. Instances include Arab participants vetoing Israeli involvement in conferences, leading to Israeli researchers being removed to allow activities to proceed. A recent study by a Greek researcher, for example, omitted Israel from regional maps and trends, despite its significant scientific contributions. This situation has led to a deterioration in communication and collaboration, even with countries with which Israel maintains diplomatic relations, such as Egypt, where past research ties have now ceased. The lack of cooperation is particularly problematic for marine research, where Israel is a key center, and for addressing shared environmental challenges that do not...

UAE Future Leaders Participate in Gaza Aid Operations in Egypt

UAE Future Leaders Participate in Gaza Aid Operations in Egypt

Members of the UAE's Future Leaders Empowerment Programme are actively involved in humanitarian operations aimed at supporting Palestinians in Gaza. This engagement is part of a field program conducted in Al Arish, Egypt. The participants are working at the UAE humanitarian aid logistics center, where they are responsible for preparing and packing aid trucks. These trucks are then transported towards the Rafah Crossing as part of 'Operation Chivalrous Knight 3'. In addition to logistics, the delegation visited the UAE Floating Hospital. During their visit, they received briefings on the medical treatment provided to Palestinian patients and injured individuals. They also distributed meals and inaugurated a library for patients undergoing treatment at the facility. The program also included visits to UAE desalination plants, which are crucial for supplying water to Palestinians in Gaza, and to the Rafah Crossing to observe the aid transportation process.

Women's Refugee Commission Leverages Research to Influence Migration and Asylum Policies

Women's Refugee Commission Leverages Research to Influence Migration and Asylum Policies

The Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) is actively leveraging its research and advocacy to influence international and domestic migration and asylum policies, particularly concerning family unity. The WRC's Migrant Rights and Justice team has been instrumental in drafting and supporting legislation in the U.S., such as the HELP for Separated Children Act and Orlin’s Law, both designed to prevent family separation and facilitate reunification. Their work is informed by evidence-based research conducted in Central America, which documents the causes and impacts of family separation. Internationally, the WRC has provided evidence to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants for an upcoming report on children's right to family life in migration and asylum contexts. This report is expected to establish international human rights standards for family unity for the next decade. The WRC also ensures that the perspectives of displaced, refugee, and migrant women and girls are central to policy discuss...

BRICS adopts joint declaration, urges 'maximum restraint' in Mideast

BRICS adopts joint declaration, urges 'maximum restraint' in Mideast

By Sarita Chaganti Singh NEW DELHI, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The BRICS group of nations unanimously adopted a joint declaration on Saturday, expressing "deep concern" over the war in the Middle East and urged maximum restraint, advocating for a "multilateral approach" that respects national viewpoints.

Xi pushes 'Greater BRICS' economic ties to give bloc larger global role

Xi pushes 'Greater BRICS' economic ties to give bloc larger global role

(Corrects spelling of headline tag) NEW DELHI, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled on Sunday initiatives in areas ranging from AI to trade to deepen cooperation among the "Greater BRICS" emerging economies, as Beijing seeks to weld the grouping into a practical platform for

At BRICS, India's Modi warns geopolitical tensions and supply chain shocks threaten global stability

At BRICS, India's Modi warns geopolitical tensions and supply chain shocks threaten global stability

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned that rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and climate crises are affecting people worldwide

Amnesty International Reports Russia's Recruitment of Foreign Nationals for Ukraine War Amounts to Human Trafficking

Amnesty International Reports Russia's Recruitment of Foreign Nationals for Ukraine War Amounts to Human Trafficking

Amnesty International has released a briefing detailing how Russia's Armed Forces are using deceptive, coercive, and exploitative practices to recruit foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine, often amounting to human trafficking. The report, based on interviews with individuals from various countries including Sri Lanka, Cuba, and Egypt, highlights how economically vulnerable foreign nationals are lured under false pretenses, frequently promised civilian jobs or expedited Russian citizenship, only to be deployed to the front lines with minimal training. Recruiters exploit irregular immigration statuses or criminal charges, presenting military enlistment as an alternative to detention or deportation. Many recruits reported having their passports and mobile phones confiscated, restricted movement, and unfulfilled promises of lucrative salaries. Amnesty International's Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, stated that the level of exploitation and coercion aligns with the definition of human trafficking under the...

French military jets launch a 40-day global flight to project power and strengthen alliances

French military jets launch a 40-day global flight to project power and strengthen alliances

Four French fighter jets have embarked on a 40-day flight to showcase the country's military might and international cooperation

Vance Center Joins International Human Rights Submission on Deteriorating Situation in Uganda

Vance Center Joins International Human Rights Submission on Deteriorating Situation in Uganda

The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, alongside several other international human rights organizations including the Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Amnesty International, and the Stanford Law School International Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Clinic, has submitted a joint report to the fourth United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Uganda. This submission highlights a significant deterioration of human rights in Uganda since the last UPR cycle. Key concerns include attacks on civil society, arbitrary arrests of human rights defenders, journalists, and political opposition members, the closure of media houses, trials of civilians in military courts, and documented reports of torture and other ill-treatment. The report details a systematic pattern of human rights violations, specifically infringing upon freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and raising serious questions about equality before the law and...