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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.
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
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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Japan

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

China society

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

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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.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivering his speech on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
United States

US Supreme Court strikes down Trump birthright citizenship order

Court preserves automatic US citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders.

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Venezuela

Over 100 Venezuelans deported from US missing after quakes level hotel

Their flight landed just hours before the disaster. Their families are searching for answers amid a soaring death toll.

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Singapore

Singapore’s migrant worker wage saga spotlights potential loopholes

Analysts point to laws that empower employers over migrant workers, who could face job loss and repatriation in any wage dispute.

Migrant workers listen to Singapore officials speak about the measures to help those who have not been paid wages for months. Photo: Facebook/Ng Chee Meng
Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina vows to return to Bangladesh ‘this year’ despite death sentence

This is the first time the former prime minister has given a schedule for her return since fleeing to India in August 2024.

Vietnam

Vietnam dissident arrests double under leader To Lam, report says

A rights group says Vietnamese authorities are relying increasingly on Article 331, which makes it a crime to ‘abuse democratic freedoms’.

Serbia

Serbians keep up protest after president says he will step down in weeks

Protesters express satisfaction with Aleksandar Vucic’s resignation, but fear he may not fully relinquish power.

People gathering for an anti-government protest in Kraljevo, Serbia on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Turkey

Turkish police detain dozens at Istanbul Gay Pride event held despite ban

Since 2015, the annual Pride march has been almost systematically banned and suppressed.

People being detained in Istanbul on Sunday. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

Coffee, chillies and cashews: a new recipe to rewrite China-Africa trade

Blanket relationship with all African nations is viewed as a precedent for partners like the EU.

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United States

Controversial US migrant detention facility dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ has closed

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the facility, which had been denounced as inhumane by civil rights groups, fulfilled its role.

Science

China ‘on track to surpass United States’ in goals for human, planet health: UN

Report showing global progress on 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals shows gap between Chinese and US closed significantly since 2015.

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According to UN data on its Sustainable Development Goals, China has achieved "no poverty" and quality education while the US has achieved the target for industry, innovation and infrastructure. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Bangladesh urges Malaysia to ease labour hiring curbs amid exploitation concerns

Both sides seek to ensure that the hiring process for Bangladeshi workers is transparent to protect their interests.

Bangladeshi workers who were employed by Malaysian companies protest in Dhaka last year demanding unpaid wages, fair compensation and an end to alleged abuse by Malaysian employers. Photo: AP
Americas and the Caribbean

Colombians vote for president amid corruption fears, polarisation

Conservative businessman Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist senator and heir to the outgoing president Iván Cepeda have traded insults and accusations of election fraud.

Food and agriculture

Opinion | Asia excels at tracking fishing vessels but fails those on board

As demand for sustainable seafood grows, the gap between the ability to monitor vessels and protect workers in the fishing industry must be addressed.

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Myanmar

Son hails Aung San Suu Kyi’s spirit in moving 81st birthday tribute

In a video, Kim Aris notes it is the sixth birthday in a row he has been unable to see his mother in person, as calls for her release continue.

Aung San Suu Kyi receives a birthday kiss from her son Kim Aris upon his arrival at Yangon International Airport, Myanmar, on June 19, 2011. Photo: EPA
Poland

34 fetuses found in Polish doctor’s garden

The 57-year-old medical pathologist is suspected of using the fetuses to perform experiments and now faces up to 12 years in prison.

Americas and the Caribbean

Armed men in Haiti’s capital seize top official in rare high-level abduction

Security expert James Boyard was cabinet director of the defence ministry and also inspector general of Haiti’s police.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh, India pledge closer border cooperation amid migration row

Dhaka has accused Indian authorities of attempting to ‌force migrants across the border without due process.

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Border Guard Bangladesh personnel patrol near the Benapole-Petrapole frontier crossing between Bangladesh and India in Benapole on June 3. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘We’re not going anywhere’: indigenous people in Malaysia rally for land rights

The protesters want Kuala Lumpur to recognise their claims, stop encroachment and seek consent before approving projects on ancestral land.

More than 1,000 Orang Asli rally in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
China-Latin America relations

US targets Cuba oil giant as Beijing and Havana deepen party ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces sanctions on Union Cuba-Petroleo after Havana and Beijing hold positive bilateral talks.

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Crime

Video | Indonesian soldiers guilty of acid attack on activist

The court ruled that the soldiers acted on their own initiative out of revenge, but critics called the verdict ‘a blatant whitewash’.

Indonesia

Indonesian soldiers jailed for up to 3 years over acid attack on activist

Amnesty International called the trial for the attack, which left Andrie Yunus blind in one eye, ‘a blatant whitewash’.

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An Indonesian military police officer escorts military personnel charged over an acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus into the courtroom on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan

Acid attack on female doctor forces Pakistani women to reconsider medicine

The attack on Mahnoor Nasir at her hospital has shown the risk of violence and social disparities women face in Pakistan.

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Medical practitioners stage a protest to express solidarity with acid attack victim Mahnoor Nasir in Quetta on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
International Criminal Court

ICC chief prosecutor suspended over sexual misconduct allegations

Karim Khan, facing allegations of misconduct with a female aide, denies any wrongdoing.

US-China relations

Nationals from China, India among 17 new US denaturalisation cases

Chinese-born Georgia resident among 17 people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud or concealing serious crimes.

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