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Human rights

Human rights
Latest news, features and analysis on human rights, with a focus on civil liberties in Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, artist and opponent of the Cuban regime, speaks to members of the press upon his arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

One of the most prominent figures in Cuba’s new dissident movement, Otero Alcantara had just completed a five-year sentence on the island.

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India

Sonam Wangchuk hospitalised after 21-day hunger strike over exam leaks

US-China relations

Asian-American groups fear Trump’s escalating rhetoric will fuel racism in US

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Britain

J.K. Rowling condemns Amnesty for branding her women’s crisis centre anti-rights

The ‘Harry Potter’ author, who has spoken in the past of being a survivor of domestic violence, set up Beira’s Place in 2022.

J.K. Rowling poses on the red carpet at the premiere of “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” in London on March 29, 2022. Photo: AFP
Italy

Italian police raid luxury brands over exploitation of Chinese workers

Earlier operations have revealed numerous cases of poor work conditions in the supply chains for the country’s leading fashion houses.

Indonesia

Indonesian migrant fishers lured by big pay but caught in modern slavery

Abuse and mismanagement are ‘systemic’ across the Chinese distant-water fishing fleet operating off West Africa, an NGO says.

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France

French parliament adopts landmark assisted-dying bill

Access will be restricted to adults with incurable life-threatening illnesses who are in constant suffering linked to the condition.

The French National Assembly is draped with the artwork “Marianne Dreams” by French street artist Seth before lawmakers vote on an assisted-dying bill in Paris on Wednesday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Global views of China and Xi improve as perceptions of US decline: Pew survey

China’s image has recovered from pandemic lows while confidence in the US and its global leadership has weakened.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s anti-LGBT education push raises concerns about stigmatising youth

Critics warn the new material to discourage the spread of ‘LGBT culture’ could backfire with consequences for young people.

US immigration

Mexico filing legal complaints over US immigration deaths

Mexico demands accountability for 17 citizens who have died in custody or during raids, testing relations with the US.

Lorenzo Salgado was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a vehicle stop in Houston. Photo: Ronaldo Salgado via Reuters
International Criminal Court

US launches sweeping campaign against ICC over ‘threat to US sovereignty’

Trump administration vows to pressure global allies to withdraw from court, cut off financial support.

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The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo: AP
United States

1 killed in ICE-involved shooting in US state of Maine

The incident comes six ‌days after an ICE agent fatally shot a man in Houston, sparking protests.

Middle East

Israeli gunfire in Gaza refugee camp kills 6, including 9-year-old girl

Nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million people now live on ‌a tiny strip of land along the coast, mainly in makeshift tents or damaged buildings.

Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi will be looked after, Myanmar envoy tells Asean

Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence, ⁠recently commuted by one-third, on a series of charges that her allies said were fabricated to keep her out ‌of politics.

Aung San Suu Kyi, then a Member of Parliament, speaks at the Low Memorial Library at Columbia University in New York on September 22, 2012. Photo: AFP
United States

US Democrat Ro Khanna ‘detained’ by Israeli settlers during West Bank visit

US progressive lawmaker Ro Khanna said ⁠he was detained by Israeli settlers this week as he sought out an ‘unfiltered’ look at the Israeli occupation.

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US Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) stands next to Palestinian residents of Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah, during a visit in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Erdogan pushes for ‘natural’ births amid Turkey’s high C-section rate

Turkish medical professionals say C-sections are more time-efficient for medical staff – 30 minutes compared to 12 hours for a traditional delivery.

US-China trade war

China’s worker protections scrutinised as US weighs forced-labour tariffs

Business groups clash with labour advocates at USTR hearing over whether new tariffs would improve workers’ rights or raise costs.

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Cuba

At UN, Cuba rallies support against ‘cruel’ and ‘ruthless’ US blockade

Cuba’s foreign minister slammed the blockade’s ‘collective punishment’ of the population but the US envoy insisted ‘there is no blockade’.

An old US car drives past a building at risk of collapse in Havana. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

US gave Tehran secret data on Iranian asylum seekers, lawsuit alleges

The data includes details on protesters and members of the LGBT community who applied for asylum to avoid ‘grave danger’, the lawsuit claims.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | Europe could prosper as China’s trade ally rather than adversary

Europe missed its chance to make trade with China a win-win for both sides. It’s now opting for a trade war it’s unlikely to win altogether.

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Japan

Japan weighs Myanmar aid restart to counter China’s growing clout

Activists urge Tokyo to reject the request, pointing to evidence that the military weaponised previous Japanese aid vessels.

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An activist holds an image of Myanmar’s ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi at an anti-coup rally in Tokyo in December 2021. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Hamas dissolves Gaza governing body but disarmament still a question

The move paves the way for technocratic committee the NCAG to implement civilian rule; Israel said it was a ‘trick’ to avoid disarming.

Ismail al-Thawabta, middle right, head of Hamas’ government media office, addresses a press conference at the Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza on Monday. Hamas announced on Monday the dissolution of the body that has governed Gaza for nearly two decades. Photo: EPA
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka prison riot kills 26, wounds more than 100

The clash between inmates from two drug gangs is Sri Lanka’s worst prison riot in more than five years.

Italy

Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU

The Catholic Church’s first US pope has clashed with the administration of President Donald Trump over its treatment of migrants.

The Philippines

‘Providing a solution’? Why some Filipinos risk their lives amid abortion ban

Filipinos wanting to end unwanted pregnancies have resorted to black-market alternatives that can result in life-threatening consequences.

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A placard is displayed in front of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, the Philippines, during a Catholic organised anti-abortion rally in 2011. Photo: Getty Images
Japan

Japan’s detention system under scrutiny after ruling on abuse of restraints

A court order to compensate the family of a detainee shows reforms to immigration centres are urgently needed, observers say.

A police bus enters the Tokyo Detention House in Japan in 2019. Photo: AFP
China society

Opinion | China’s ethnic unity law aims to rejuvenate and defend, not repress

China’s extraterritorial clause reaches only acts that endanger national security, unlike the US’ overreaching Global Magnitsky Act.

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France

Macron urges more opposition to the death penalty as global executions rise

At a global summit in Paris, the French president defends human dignity amid a surge in state killings.

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