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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.
Students take part in the street culture carnival to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day in Banda Aceh on August 19, 2023. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

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

The warning comes amid rising fear following attacks on gay people and a regulation classifying LGBTQ culture as a security threat.

Myanmar

Myanmar rebuffs Asean call to free Aung San Suu Kyi

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Protests around the world

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

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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.

Catholic nuns and Christian worshippers attend mass at the Latin Monastery (Deir al-Latin) in the Palestinian Christian town of Taybeh in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Photo: AFP
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.

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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A road in Yangon, Myanmar in March. Experts say Myanmar remains far from recovering its previous footing which began with political and economic reforms in 2011 – a period of growth abruptly ended by the coup. Photo: EPA
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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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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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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Sikh activist Moninder Singh in 2023. Photo: Reuters
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.

A migrant runs from Spanish police as they cordon off access to the beach for people crossing from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Friday. Photo: AP
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.

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.

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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A Myanmar government handout photo shows ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi (left) talking to Arnaud de Baecque in Naypyitaw on Monday. Photo: Myanmar President Office/EPA
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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Cotton is harvested in China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Photo: Zuma Press
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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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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Fires destroy numerous buildings in the town of Thantlang in Chin state in northwest Myanmar, in December 2021. Photo: Chin Human Rights Organization via AP
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’.

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.

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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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends the 33rd Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, on July 23. Photo: AFP
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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People from China, Vietnam and Ethiopia after being released from scam centres in eastern Myanmar in 2025. Photo: AP
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.

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.

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.

White House border tsar Tom Homan outside the White House in Washington. Photo: AP
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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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: AP
Middle East

Israeli settlers set fire to West Bank mosques after deadly clash

As part of a security clampdown across the West Bank over the weekend, Israeli forces arrested around 60 Palestinians.

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Asean

Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

The additional duties come just a day after Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US is ‘with Asean 100 per cent’.

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