News and Updates

Taiwan signs up for human rights

9 April 2009

Taiwan’s legislature has ratified two of the most important international conventions for the development of human rights.

UN provides welcome support to Bangladesh war crimes investigations

7 April 2009

The government of Bangladesh has sought and received UN assistance in its efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes against humanity and other serious violations o

Gambia releases opposition leader

23 March 2009

Halifa Sallah is believed to have been arrested for articles he wrote criticising the use of witch doctors by the Gambian government.

New Mexico abolishes the death penalty

19 March 2009

The Governor of New Mexico signed into law a bill, abolishing the death penalty in his state, on Wednesday evening.

Charges dropped against four Indigenous activists, one remains imprisoned

18 March 2009

Authorities in Mexico have dropped the charges against four Indigenous human rights defenders who have been imprisoned for nearly a year.

Charges dropped against Azerbaijani activist

5 March 2009

The Azerbaijani authorities have dropped a defamation suit against a prominent human rights defender.

Kurdish women's rights activist released in Iran

27 February 2009

Kurdish student Hana Abdi was released from prison on Thursday after spending nearly 16 months in detention.

Political prisoners set free in Myanmar

24 February 2009

Twenty-four political prisoners have been set free in Myanmar after the government announced that it would release 6,313 prisoners. 

Binyam Mohamed released from Guantánamo

24 February 2009

UK resident Binyam Mohamed has been released from detention in Guantánamo Bay and allowed to return to the UK.

Another hostage released in Colombia

6 February 2009

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have set free a second hostage in a week with the release of regional deputy Sigifredo López.