Tribune des Droits Humains - www.humanrights-geneva.info

Syria called to release detainees

2009-07-04T09:52:59Z

From Human Rights Watch:
Syrian authorities should immediately make public the fate of all detainees at Sednaya prison, at least nine of whom are believed to have been killed when military police used lethal force during unrest in the prison last July, Human Rights Watch said today. Syria should also free those who have finished serving their sentences, Human Rights Watch said.
The government has not provided the families of detainees or the public with any information regarding the events (…) - Middle East / Justice, Key players, hors session

African summit dodges arrest obligations

IPS — 2009-07-04T09:42:39Z

The final day of the African Union summit has been dedicated to the issue of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, charged with seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and torture.
Diletta Varlese/IPS - The thirty or so African states that are signatories to the ICC are obligated to arrest Bashir, should he set foot on their soil, and turn him over to the court. Nonetheless, the (…) - Africa / a-la-une, Justice, hors session

Kremlin eases NGO restrictions

2009-07-04T09:08:17Z

From Reuters:
The Kremlin eased some restrictions on Russian NGOs on Friday ahead of a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama, in the first major move to strengthen civil society since President Dmitry Medvedev took office. The move was applauded by human rights activists, who said that the reforms cover only a third of NGOs and a lot more remains to be done to improve Russia's human rights record.
Medvedev, who was elected just over a year ago, proposed in May relaxing restrictions on (…) - Europe / hors session, Rights, Flash

Ban Ki Moon seeks release of Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-07-03T10:42:37Z

From The Times/London:
Ban Ki Moon, the UN secretary-general, flew to the remote stronghold of Burma's ruling generals this afternoon to demand the release of the democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the country's two hundred political prisoners.
In a high risk visit, which will be denounced by human rights groups if it fails to achieve results, Mr Ban travelled to Naypyidaw, the new capital built in the jungle three years ago, to meet directly with Burma's Senior (…) - Asia/Pacific / hors session, Freedom of speech, Rights, Flash

Nobel winner seeks UN envoy for Iran

2009-07-03T07:38:13Z

From Reuters:
Iranian Nobel Peace Prize recipient Shirin Ebadi called on U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Thursday to appoint a personal envoy to investigate human rights abuses in Iran.
In a letter also signed by the rights groups International Federation for Human Rights and the Iranian League for the Defense of Human Rights, Ebadi asked Ban to appoint the envoy to look into abuses in Iran following June's disputed presidential (…) - Middle East / Security, hors session, Freedom of speech, Flash

Israel takes over UNHCR activities

IRIN — 2009-07-03T07:32:20Z

The Israeli Interior Ministry is taking over the process of Refugee Status Determination (RSD) from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on 2 July.
IRIN News - Some 15,000 mainly African asylum-seekers in Israel have put the regulatory, security and welfare response under strain, according to the Interior Ministry and UNHCR.
Israel does not have a refugee law, despite being a signatory to the 1951 refugee Convention.
However, regulations can allow asylum-seekers to work, and grant temporary (…) - Middle East / a-la-une, a-la-une-suite, UN, Minorities, hors session

UN expert denounces Israeli boat seizure

2009-07-03T07:11:58Z

UNHRC press release:
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Richard Falk, denounced the unlawful naval seizure by an Israeli gunboat on the high seas of a ship carrying medicine and reconstruction material to blockaded people of Gaza today.
“This Israeli action implements its cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza, in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that (…) - Middle East / Security, Key players, hors session

Les Indiens ne peuvent plus être condamnés pour homosexualité

2009-07-03T06:32:56Z

A lire sur Rue89
L'homosexualité vient d'être déclarée légale par la Haute Cour de Justice de Delhi. Pour la communauté LGBT indienne, cette avancée historique arrive comme une belle surprise. Réactions à chaud de Nitin Karani, un des défenseurs des droits LGBT les plus influents en Inde. - Asie Pacifique / Minorités, hors session, Expresso

L'ébauche d'une institution des droits humains en Suisse

swissinfo — 2009-07-03T06:21:50Z

Le gouvernement suisse diffère la création d'une institution nationale des droits humains. A sa place, une solution transitoire sera mise en place pour démontrer l'utilité d'un tel organisme. La société civile suisse critique cette décision, tout en reconnaissant qu'un premier pas a été accompli.
Frédéric Burnand, Genève/swissinfo.ch - Alors que la question est sur la table depuis 2001, la Suisse ne s'est toujours pas dotée d'une institution nationale des droits de l'homme. Depuis près de (…) - Europe / a-la-une, ONU, Société civile, hors session

La Suisse trop sexy pour les Chinois ?

swissinfo — 2009-07-02T09:25:43Z

Pékin a décidé de différer l'installation sur les ordinateurs vendus en Chine d'un logiciel de filtrage des contenus pornographiques sur l'Internet, qui aurait bloqué nombre de sites. Un revirement qui marque une victoire d'étape pour la liberté d'expression en Chine.
Pékin, Alain Arnaud/swissinfo.ch - Les pyjamas Calida ? – trop osés, la page ne s'affiche pas. Le site de swissinfo.ch ? – péniblement, et sans aucune image. Le site de Suisse Tourisme en chinois affiche une seule (…) - Asie Pacifique / a-la-une, a-la-une-suite, hors session, Médias et libertés