Just a quick update in case you missed it.
 | Released on 30.08.2024 |  |
 | Ecuador Sets Plan to End Sexual Violence in Schools President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador on August 20, 2024, signed a decree for a Public Policy to Eradicate Sexual Violence in Schools, an important step to address the problem, Human Rights Watch said today. The document details the government’s plans to tackle sexual violence through 2030. Sexual and gender-based violence is endemic in Ecuador’s schools. Over the last decade, the Ministry of Education received reports of close to 6,500 cases of school-related sexual violence, affecting 7,303 children across the country. These numbers undoubtedly understate the true total, as most cases of sexual violence go unreported. Read more: hrw.org |
 | Iraqi human rights activists sound alarm over law threatening women’s and children’s rights Iraqi human rights activists have expressed deep concern over proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959, which they see as a serious violation of the rights of women and children. A key point of contention is the proposed provision to allow the marriage of girls as young as nine years old. Critics argue that this amendment would not only legalise child marriage but also reinforce tribalism and sectarianism in Iraq, further destabilising the country. Read more: medyanews.net |
 | Cambodia citizens being detained for protesting development: rights groups At least 94 people have been arbitrarily arrested since late July for expressing public criticism of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV), Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said in a joint statement on Wednesday. The human rights organizations believe at least 59 of those arrested have been unlawfully detained by Cambodian authorities. “The authorities should immediately drop all charges for which no internationally recognized charge is brought,” the organizations said. Read more: jurist.org |
 | Human Rights Committee: Stop Labor Exploitation and Human Trafficking! The Bar Association’s Human Rights Committee has called for immediate criminal action against those who engage in, facilitate, or turn a blind eye to labor exploitation and human trafficking, which prevent access to basic human rights. The Committee issued a statement underlining the urgency of putting an end to these violations. In reference to a statement made about a month ago on July 30th, International Day Against Trafficking in Persons, titled "Stop Human Trafficking in the TRNC," the Human Rights Committee highlighted ongoing human rights violations stemming from labor exploitation and human trafficking in the country. Read more: kibrispostasi.com |
 | Stop Politicizing Education for Lebanon’s Refugee Children Ahead of the upcoming school year, local authorities and politicians in Lebanon are seeking to impose discriminatory restrictions that could result in tens of thousands of refugee children being denied their right to education. On July 8, Lebanese Forces party leader Samir Geagea wrote on social media that the Education Ministry must require all students to provide identification papers to register for the 2024-25 school year, for both public and private schools. Foreign students, including Syrians, he insisted, must have valid residency permits to register. Read more: hrw.org |
 | Papua New Guinea: Media restrictions and cybercrime law undermine freedom of expression Papua New Guinea’s civic space is rated as ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Among concerns previously documented are the harassment and threats against human rights defenders, particularly those working on land and environmental rights, intimidation and restrictions against journalists and excessive force during protests. In April 2024, the CIVICUS Monitor published a research brief highlighting the slow progress by Prime Minister James Marape’s government in undertaking reforms to protect civic space as well as efforts to stifle the media and freedom of expression. Read more: monitor.civicus.org |
 | Refugees, human rights activists highlight fresh exodus of Rohingyas from Myanmar to escape genocide Human rights activists and Rohingya refugees shared a stage here on Tuesday to highlight the fresh exodus of the Muslim-majority group from Myanmar to escape genocide. Speakers at the event held at the Press Club of India included deputy minister of the country’s government in exile Aung Kyaw Moe — a Rohingya who joined online from the US. Moe said: “Anyone regardless of their political ideology who has committed atrocities, war crimes or genocide, we should ensure that… the perpetrators are held accountable. Just because they are our political allies doesn’t mean they should enjoy immunity.” Read more: telegraphindia.com |
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