The US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Monday, amidst the seventy-fifth anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or UDHR. The report emphasized “several new commitments, including to renew investments around the world in democracy and human rights, to help protect human rights defenders online, [...]
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Legislating Identity: A Critical Analysis of the Anti-LGBT Bills in Kenya and Ghana
Recent Afrobarometer survey data (Round 8, 2019-2021) paints a stark picture with 86% of Kenyans and 93% of Ghanaians expressing intolerance towards the LGBT community. This high level of intolerance exists despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guaranteeing non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. Furthermore, across Africa, laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual activity remain commonplace. [...]
Ukraine anti-corruption agency accuses food minister of illegally acquiring state-owned land
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on Tuesday announced that it had exposed a scheme to illegally acquire state-owned land worth $7 million between 2017 and 2021 led by a criminal group involving the country’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solsky. The NABU didn’t openly name the Ukrainian minister but said the [...]
Vietnam public security ministry arrests assistant of National Assembly chairman
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security on Monday arrested Pham Thai Ha, assistant to the country’s National Assembly chairman. Pham was arrested and detained in Hanoi, Vietnam on charges of “abusing positions and powers to influence others for personal gain,’ according to provisions of Clause 4, Article 358 of the 2015 Penal Code (amended in 2017),” [...]
US Supreme Court split on whether to allow broader punishment for people camping in public spaces
The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday on whether enforcing public camping ordinances against unhoused people without adequate shelter is cruel and unusual punishment and, therefore, prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution. The case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, originated in southern Oregon. The central question before the court revolves around the [...]
UK charges parliamentary researcher and associate with espionage on behalf of China
British parliamentary researcher, Christopher Cash, 29, and Christopher Berry, 32, on Monday were charged with espionage under the Official Secrets Act 1911 for allegedly spying for China. The charges emerged as a result of a thorough investigation conducted by the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing, who operate under the leadership of the Metropolitan Police, alongside the [...]
Germany arrests three people for alleged involvement in transfer of military technology to China
The German Federal Prosecutor’s Office arrested three citizens on suspicion of working for the Chinese secret services to transfer technology with potential military applications on Monday. Officers of the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) in Düsseldorf and Bad Homburg arrested German citizens Gerwig F., Ina F. and Thomas R. (surnames withheld due to privacy concerns) [...]
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday stated that it intends to challenge an order from the Australian eSafety Commissioner demanding the company remove certain posts on the platform regarding the recent attack against a Christian bishop in Sydney. According to X’s statement, the company received an order from the Australian eSafety Commissioner to [...]
Nearly seven months after the start of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, the NYPD entered campus on Thursday to disperse a student gathering and carry out mass arrests for the first time since 1968. Hundreds of students set up tents and occupied parts of the South Lawn in front of Butler Library for more [...]
US Secretary of State to announce sanctions against IDF unit: Axios report
Axios reported Saturday that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion “Netzah Yehuda” for human rights violations in the West Bank, according to three informed sources. The battalion is a special IDF unit mainly comprised of ultra-Orthodox soldiers. According to the report, the sanctions [...]