China, facing ongoing Western pressure to improve its widely criticized human rights record, says it is drafting a new “action plan” aimed at expanding democracy and strengthening the rule of law. The official Xinhua news agency, quoting State Council information chief Wang Chen, says the new plan announced Wednesday will set forth “comprehensive and systematic” […]
Mexico’s Supreme Court Says Soldiers Can Face Civil Trials
Posted July 12th, 2011 at 11:25 pm (UTC-5)
Mexico’s supreme court said Tuesday that soldiers accused of human rights abuses may face civil trials instead of closed door military tribunals. The supreme court ruling follows an international tribunal recommendation. Some Mexican soldiers involved in the war on organized crime and the drug cartels have been accused various infractions including firing on civilians at […]
Report: Rights Violations Worsen in Pakistan’s Baluchistan
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 11:15 am (UTC-5)
A Pakistani human rights group says rights violations are rising in Pakistan’s southwest Baluchistan province as militants and security forces increasingly target civilians. In a report released Wednesday, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says at least 143 people have disappeared since 2009. The group says in these cases, there was evidence to substantiate the […]
Report: Philippine President Falling Short in Upholding Human Rights
Posted June 29th, 2011 at 4:10 am (UTC-5)
U.S.-based Human Rights Watch is criticizing Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s human rights record as he concludes his first year in office. The group says killings and enforced disappearances have continued. It faults Mr. Aquino for failing to implement effective measures to investigate and prosecute members of the police and military who commit serious human rights […]
Clinton Hails Passage of NY Gay Marriage Law
Posted June 27th, 2011 at 3:20 pm (UTC-5)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says recent legislation permitting gay marriage in New York state gives visibility and credibility to the struggle for gay rights around the world. At a state department event marking gay pride Tuesday, Clinton described the struggle for gay equality as one of the most urgent and important human rights […]
Prominent Chinese Rights Activist Hu Jia Freed From Jail
Posted June 25th, 2011 at 10:40 pm (UTC-5)
The wife of a prominent Chinese human rights activist says he was released Sunday after spending more than three years in prison for subversion. The wife of Hu Jia said in a Twitter message that Hu is safe and very happy. Hu’s three-and-a-half-year prison sentence was set to end Sunday. Hu was jailed in 2008, […]
Prominent Chinese Rights Activist Hu Jia Freed From Jail
Posted June 25th, 2011 at 8:25 pm (UTC-5)
The wife of a prominent Chinese human rights activist says he was released Sunday after spending more than three years in prison for subversion. Zeng Jinyan said in a Twitter message that Hu is safe and very happy. Hu’s three and-a-half year prison sentence was set to end Sunday. Hu was jailed in 2008, just […]
Colleagues of Chinese Artist Released from Detention
Posted June 25th, 2011 at 2:10 am (UTC-5)
Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei has confirmed that four of his associates were freed from detention this week, soon after he was released from prison on bail. Ai was released Wednesday after nearly three months in detention. He is one of the most prominent activists detained in China’s crackdown on dissent, which began in […]
UN Slams Bahrain on Activist Court Sentences
Posted June 24th, 2011 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations Human Rights office Friday slammed the life sentences given to eight prominent Shi’ite activists, saying the convictions reflect marks of “political persecution.’ United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is writing Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa to air her concerns. A special court in Bahrain on Wednesday sentenced the […]
Human Rights Watch Protests Beating of Senegalese Activists
Posted June 24th, 2011 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
Human Rights Watch wants the Senegalese government to investigate violent assaults on two human rights activists during protests in Dakar. The group says Alioune Tine and Oumar Diallo were attacked Thursday by youths from the political party of President Abdoulaye Wade. Opposition protesters clashed with police to protest the ruling party’s efforts to change the […]
