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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.
Afghan girls at a primary school in Kabul. The Taliban does not permit girls to study beyond primary education. Photo: AFP
Afghanistan

2.4 million Afghan girls banned from schools 5 years after Taliban takeover: UN

The United Nations is urging an end to the ‘discriminatory’ Taliban policy that prevents girls from studying beyond primary school.

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United States

Rights groups sue the Trump administration over ICC sanctions

Indonesia

Indonesian Islamic body warns against cross-dressing in Independence Day games

Myanmar

Myanmar rebuffs Asean call to free Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar will continue to work with Asean’s special envoy but does not see the need to continue when Singapore takes over on January 1.

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Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing reviews the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday. Myanmar’s former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with Asean. Photo: EPA
Protests around the world

Opinion | South Asia’s Gen Z protests offer one lesson in common

From Sri Lanka and Nepal to Bangladesh and India, youth protests have shaken or even toppled governments, but creating lasting change has been more challenging.

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Israel

‘Hopeless’: Palestinian Christians leave West Bank as hardships mount

Christians leave due to the deterioration of the humanitarian and economic situation in the West Bank, clergy members say.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia president

The right-wing ex-lawyer who calls himself ‘The Tiger’ vowed to bomb cocaine labs, build mega prisons and usher in closer ties with the US.

Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, on Friday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

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Myanmar

Can war-torn Myanmar finally realise its economic potential?

Myanmar’s economy has shown signs of life after years of sky-high inflation and negative growth, but experts say it is far from recovering.

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US-China relations

Seasoned seeds as bio-weapons? Chinese netizens mock US targeting of food brands

The latest batch of Washington’s import restrictions – targeting snack firms – is creating quite a stir among China’s social media users.

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An internet user views the Synear Food webpage on his computer in the background with the company logo displayed on his phone. The company has been blacklisted by Washington for allegedly using forced labour. Photo: Getty Images
Myanmar

Myanmar president heads to Thailand amid civil war at home

Thailand’s acknowledgement of Min Aung Hlaing’s legitimacy stems from a ‘straight up pragmatism’, analysts say.

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Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing leaves after delivering a speech in parliament on Friday. Photo: AP
Canada

UN experts urge Canada to protect Sikh activist facing threats to life

Rights monitors press Ottawa over alleged foreign intimidation targeting Moninder Singh.

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Spain

Spain denies intelligence warnings before Ceuta migrant crisis

Madrid rejects claims of ignored reports after tens of thousands surged into Spanish exclave in Africa.

Britain

France condemns Farage-led plan to deploy British navy against Channel migrants

Paris warns pushback operation would breach international law as hard-right party vows to return small boats.

Nigel Farage announcing Reform's tougher immigration policy. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Thailand hits back at ‘inaccuracies’ in UN expert’s Cambodia findings

Bangkok says no efforts were made to verify the claims of UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews with Thai authorities.

A concrete sign bearing the word “SIAM” is displayed at the base of a gate along a section of the border fence between Thailand and Cambodia in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province, in Thailand on July. Photo: Reuters
Myanmar

‘She is alive’: new Suu Kyi photos emerge as Myanmar junta faces pressure

In photos released by the president’s office, Suu Kyi is seen shaking hands with Arnaud de Baecque and cutting a birthday cake.

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US-China relations

China hits back at US forced labour blacklist as ‘classic act of coercion’

Washington has sanctioned 43 Chinese companies accused of human rights abuses in the western region of Xinjiang.

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US-China relations

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

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The former vice-president of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan, is the early front runner to be the next United Nations secretary general. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

‘Incomprehensible’: Malaysia’s Rohingya return deal sparks refoulement fears

Rights groups warn returnees to Myanmar could face forced conscription, arbitrary detention, torture and forced labour.

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Asean

Justice beyond borders: East Timor’s Myanmar case tests Asean diplomacy

The case, which alleges abuses in Myanmar’s northwestern Chin state, is now under consideration by the courts in Dili.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina vows to return despite believing she ‘may be killed’

The ex-prime minister sidesteps the question of her return to politics, saying: ‘Power is not my destination. Service to the people is’.

Sheikh Hasina speaks to the media a day after she wins the 12th parliamentary elections in Dhaka on January 8, 2024. Photo: AFP
United Nations

Prominent figures appeal for refugee protections as UN convention turns 75

Global advocates sign ‘The Promise’ statement as UNHCR faces severe funding cuts and tightening border restrictions worldwide.

Actress Cate Blanchett, a global goodwill ambassador for UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency. Photo: Reuters
United States

As I see it | America declares international law for thee but not for me

While the US is seeking to dismantle the International Criminal Court, it has signed a statement upholding the Hague tribunal’s South China Sea ruling.

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Myanmar

Myanmar approves death sentence in crackdown on scam centres

Junta-backed bill targets syndicate bosses with life in prison and capital punishment.

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United Nations

US walks out on France at UN over human rights criticism

Rift deepens after sharp clash over UN rights chief’s second term and a scathing social media post.

The UN Security Council chamber in New York, pictured during a meeting on June 10. US diplomats staged a brief walkout on Monday following a dispute with France. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Myanmar military escalates civilian killings under new command, monitor reports

A conflict monitor records more than a dozen ⁠mass killings in 2026, over 450 civilians ⁠dead.

Myanmar Air Force fighter jets perform manoeuvres in 2023. A report by conflict monitor ACLED indicates the junta has intensified its aerial bombing campaign in 2026. Photo: AFP
United States

US border tsar says vetting of ICE officer under review after Maine shooting

Tom Homan said if claims that David Brouillette had a history of mental health struggles are true, he should not have cleared vetting.

Middle East

Netanyahu claims New York mayor ‘fomenting hate’ ahead of expected UN trip

The Israeli PM dismissed war-crimes charges as ‘bogus’ after Zohran Mamdani urged US federal authorities to detain him.

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