Human Rights by COUNTRY

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A woman with curly black hair and glasses, wearing a black shirt with white polka dots, appears to be speaking or in conversation.

Narges Mohammadi - Iranian Human Rights Activist

In 2023, Narges won the Nobel Prize for her activism against the oppression of women in Iran. As vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre, she was charged with propaganda against the state. Having spent over a decade in prison, she received another 7.5-year sentence in early 2026. Now hospitalised, her family is deeply concerned for her welfare in notorious Iranian detention facilities.

Narges Mohammadi - Iranian Human Rights Activist
House in Khallet a-Dabe at risk of eviction by Israel. Huge letters have been painted on the side of the house which say 'This is a home just like yours'

Masafer Yatta – Demolitions and Displacement in the West Bank

Masafer Yatta is a collection of 19 Palestinian hamlets in the southern West Bank which has suffered for years under the grips of Israeli forces. The plight of the community was brought to the attention of the world by the Oscar winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ which offers a powerful view of settler violence, home demolitions, restrictions to land, illegal settlement expansion, and the failure to prevent and punish settler attacks. Masafer Yatta is a microcosm of the daily reality for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Masafer Yatta – Demolitions and Displacement in the West Bank
An older white gentleman stands in the street holding a large white sign which says ' Boycott Israel' the man is part of a larger protest which we can see part of in the background

The BDS Movement - Boycott, divest, and sanction Israel

BDS is a tactic which first started against Israel in 2005. It is a pro-Palestinian campaign fighting for the rights of Palestinian people. Through a military and arms embargo, divestment and boycott campaigns, rights activists hope to place economic pressure on Israel until the government abides by international law and end discriminatory policies towards Palestinians.

The BDS Movement - Boycott, divest, and sanction Israel
Palestine 2011. Israel's Wall in Bethlehem, West Bank. A large wooden fence with barbed wire on the top has the words 'Free Palestine' written in white paint on it.

2023 Attack on Jenin Palestine Refugee Camp

The Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin is home to an estimated population of 18,000. Under the pretence that the camp is sheltering militants responsible for attacks inside Israel, Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted the area. Violence in the West Bank has been increasing for some time, and the most recent drone strikes and deployment of 2,000 soldiers into the camp resulted in the death of 10 Palestinians, and many more injured.

2023 Attack on Jenin Palestine Refugee Camp
French flag illustrated in grunge style.

French police violence

After a long period of neglect, racism and brutality have crept into the French police force, the social repercussions of which were evident in the shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk. The attack sparked five days of intense protests in which anger turned to violence and looting. More than 45,000 police officers were deployed across the country and damage was estimated at €1 billion. Nahel's family has never condoned the chaos and is calling on people to remember what really sparked the movement and the need for justice and reform.

French police violence
Qatar world Cup 2022 graphic – A migrant worker chained to the World Cup trophy kneels down under the weight of it. Behind is the view of a football field with the words ‘human rights’ written in the goal.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Qatar is set to host this year's World Cup games between 20 November and 18 December. It will be the first time the tournament has been held in the Arab world. However, the build-up to the games has not been short of controversy. Corruption and money laundering allegations have led to an investigation around Qatar’s World Cup bid. Furthermore, Amnesty international has widely reported on thousands of deaths in the country's preparations, predominantly of migrant workers who are suffering rights abuses, and unregulated and inhumane working conditions.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
B/W picture of the HMT Empire Windrush while service.

Windrush Day

This year marks 75 years since the HMT Empire Windrush docked in Essex, carrying passengers from Britain's Caribbean territories to fill labour shortages in the post-war years. Most of those who arrived worked in the service sector. The occurrence gained notoriety in 2018 after it was revealed that the government had failed to record the passengers' details correctly, which meant they were excluded from the 1971 Immigration Act, leaving them without permission to access healthcare, work or stay in the UK. This led to an apology from then PM Theresa May, the announcement of an inquiry and the establishment of a compensation scheme.

Windrush Day
5 serious women stand holding a banner supporting the rights fo the Uyghur people

Oppression of the Uyghur’s

The Uyghurs form the largest minority ethnic group in Xinjiang, China’s North-western province. For years human rights groups have campaigned against their harsh treatment by the Chinese government. Accusations of crimes against humanity and potential genocide against the population are being investigated as human rights groups deplore the use of “re-education camps.” More than one million Uyghurs have been detained in these camps, and hundreds sentenced to prison terms without cause. Shoot to kill policies are in place for those attempting escape.

Oppression of the Uyghur’s
A diverse group of protesters holding a large green banner reading "KILL THE BILL" while standing in front of trees and other signs.

Police and Crime Bill

The British government has succeeded in its attempt to restrict protest rights. The bill has been controversial since the crackdown on protests over the murder of Sarah Everard. The new law increases police powers to stop protests if they "reasonably" believe they are likely to cause serious public disorder, damage property, disrupt community life or if there is disruptive noise, but, the vagueness of these terms leaves much room for arbitrariness. Movements such as EX and Insulate Britain are seen as the main target of this new law.

Police and Crime Bill
Beijing 2022 logo featuring the Olympic rings in blue, yellow, black, green, and red, with the text "BEIJING 2022" above.

Olympic Games Beijing 2008 + 2022

As the first city ever to host both the summer and winter Olympics, and this years games set to take place during the Covid-19 pandemic, all eyes are on China to see how events unfold. Similar boycotts to the games as in 2008 have been put in place as a response to Chinese human rights abuses of the Uyghur, and the National Security Law implemented in Hong Kong - 10 countries have now confirmed diplomatic boycott. Climate impact concerns have also been raised due to lack of reliable snow, resulting in high financial and environmental costs. Sportswashing, and concerns regarding athlete censorship are also being closely monitored by critics.

Olympic Games Beijing 2008 + 2022
Multiple individuals in orange jumpsuits kneel on gravel, attended by soldiers in camouflage uniforms, behind a chain-link fence.

20 years of Guantanamo Bay – 2 Decades of Injustice

The 20th anniversary of the U.S. military detention facility is being marked by protests and disturbing allegations. Its strategic location blurs the lines of international law and prisoner treatment, thus stripping detainees of their constitutional rights. Established under Bush administration during the height of the ‘war on terror’, its legacy as a place of torture, injustice, abuse and indefinite detention continues. The legal anomaly has proven hard to shut down, and calls for Biden to keep his promise and to close its doors once and for all are their strongest ever.

20 years of Guantanamo Bay – 2 Decades of Injustice

Western Sahara

Last week there were armed clashes in the Western Sahara between the Morocan military and the region’s independence movement Polisario Front. Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony that was occupied by Morocco in 1975. The Polisario Front fought against the occupation and in 1976, with the support of Algeria and Libya, proclaimed the Democratic Arab Republic of the Sahara. Since 1991 there has been a truce between the two sides, that now seems to be over.

Western Sahara