International human rights NGO headquartered in the UK
Three veteran Hong Kong activists — Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — have been sentenced to between five and seven years after convictions for inciting subversion under Beijings 2020 national security law. The sentences follow convictions in August and will include time already served, rights groups and foreign governments have condemned the verdicts.
Iran has executed multiple men convicted over killings during January’s nationwide protests, including two public hangings in Isfahan’s Alikhani (Malekshahr) Square on 28 July. Videos and witnesses have shown residents chanting and trying to block the executions before security forces dispersed the crowd. Rights groups report a wider surge in executions and hunger strikes at Ghezel Hesar prison.
A Jerusalem court has paused the transfer of Nile crocodiles to Ketziot Prison while it reviews a petition by Let the Animals Live. The case ties Ben-Gvir’s security measures for Palestinian prisoners to animal welfare and environmental concerns, with a final ruling pending government response.
Protests linked to the JAAC have escalated as elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir proceed in three phases amid a nationwide crackdown. Officials report clashes and casualties, while JAAC demands political reform and abolition of reserved refugee seats. International observers call for access and transparency as media restrictions intensify.
Refugee-hosting states have tightened controls and pushed a limited repatriation plan while Rohingya camps in Bangladesh are reporting worsening conditions. Malaysia has begun screening Myanmar nationals for a 5,000-person return scheme and has detained and processed groups of Rohingya; rights groups warn returns could put people at risk. Cox's Bazar refugees are protesting and aid cuts are worsening hunger.
Record crossings by mega-dinghies have surged across the English Channel, with boats carrying hundreds of migrants. Authorities are reinforcing enforcement and international cooperation as numbers fall overall but risks rise for those onboard.
The UK Supreme Court has granted Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori permission to appeal the Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the group's proscription under terrorism laws. The appeal will be expedited and is expected between October and December; more than 3,500 arrests linked to the ban remain paused while the courts decide.
Drones have targeted civilian sites in Darfur amid ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and RSF. Emergency Lawyers report casualties at a customary court in Garra al-Zawaya, North Darfur, while authorities warn of mass atrocities and widespread displacement across the region.
Nigel Farage has unveiled "Operation Fortress": a Reform UK plan to use the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the English Channel, detain those on board, and return them to France or Belgium. The proposal has drawn legal, military and diplomatic scepticism, French officials have condemned it, and rivals say it aims to distract from party financial scandals.
A round of legal actions crosses borders: a Jordanian activist faces renewed legal pressure after an extradition attempt; Egyptian and UK cases involve drugs, fraud and abuse of position. The DOE and international agencies are coordinating to pursue accountability in several high-profile cases.
Polling is under way in four PK-administered Kashmir constituencies as security is tightened. The JAAC boycott persists, while PML-N is expected to lead the regional government after securing a majority in earlier phases; violence and protests have marked the campaign.
Civil defence teams in Gaza City have recovered the remains of 112 people, including about 40 children, from a residential block hit on 22 November 2023. Hundreds attended mass funerals after days of hand-digging; officials say 157 people remain under the same rubble and thousands more are still reported missing across Gaza.
Thousands gather in Gaza City as 112 bodies are buried after rescue teams recovered them from Sabra and surrounding sites. Families mourn 308 relatives from a November 2023 attack, with 157 still missing. The funerals unfold under a continuing ceasefire while confrontations and calls for investigations persist.
Electronic Arts has been taken private in a $55 billion deal led by Saudi Arabia's PIF, with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The move delists EA from Nasdaq and adds $20 billion in debt. Analysts expect a focus on core franchises and potential cost-cutting. Regulators approved the deal, and governance implications are under scrutiny.
Amid court cases and protests, Imran Khan’s party faces renewed scrutiny. Amnesty International and UN bodies have raised concerns over prolonged detention and access to legal counsel, as Khan and his wife face years in prison on multiple charges. Meanwhile, a Pakistani politician’s arrest and UK bail conditions amplify cross-border tensions.
Iran has intensified capital punishment on national security charges since March, with at least 56 people executed and more than 100 at risk amid anti-government protests. Executions for drug offences continue at an alarming rate, and concerns over fair trial guarantees persist as public and closed-door sentences are handed down.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since taking the role after his father’s death in February. State media say talks with the US continue as Tehran hints at potential footage releases; meanwhile, Iran signals conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as regional conflicts escalate.
Nigeria has announced the rescue of 308 kidnapped citizens in a coordinated operation involving the military, police, and intelligence services. Of the rescued, 163 were abducted from Woro in Kwara State and 145 from Niger State. Victims are receiving medical care and will be reunited with families as security agencies pledge to strengthen early-warning systems.
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Lebanons Legal Agenda have released investigations finding that Israeli strikes on 22 April in al-Tiri have targeted journalists Amal Khalil and Zeinab Faraj, described the attacks as war crimes and said Israeli forces impeded rescue efforts. Israel has denied deliberately targeting journalists and said it struck Hezbollah-linked targets.
Nigeria's security forces have freed 308 hostages abducted in recent months, including 163 from Woro in Kwara state and 145 from Niger state. The operation involved the military, police, and counter-terrorism units and is described by officials as the largest rescue carried out in a single day.
Palestinian detainees and Gaza health officials report severe health deterioration among detainees held by Israel, while rights groups call for independent medical examinations and accountability. New details highlight alleged torture and medical neglect in prolonged detention amid ongoing conflict dynamics.
The final phase of the regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir proceeds as protests flare and violence rises. Amnesty International reports dozens of civilian deaths and several security force casualties; two British nationals are detained amid ongoing clashes. The UK has updated travel advisories and ministers have engaged with Pakistani authorities.
On National Women’s Day, South Africa reflects on gains in representation since 1956 while acknowledging persistent gender-based violence, poverty and unequal access to services. Commemoration notes progress in Parliament and leadership, but critics warn that economic security for most women remains elusive.
Lebanon has passed legislation abolishing the death penalty and replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. Parliament has also approved a separate general amnesty law that will reduce some long sentences and free inmates detained more than 12 prison years while awaiting trial; the measures respond to severe prison overcrowding and political pressures.
Colombia is joining the Shield of the Americas coalition, aligning with the US-led effort against drug cartels. The announcement comes as the Trump administration urges allies to reject the ICC, arguing the court intrudes on sovereignty. Rights groups warn of legal and civilian risks amid intensified regional security operations.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and under its control, while other parties push back with assertions of American influence and international concern. The dispute follows a series of public statements and threats as talks to reopen the waterway stagnate.
Pakistan has warned that threats to its sovereignty will be met with a strong response, as protests mark independence commemorations and a new defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey surfaces. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasizes Pakistan’s aim for peace but confirms a firm stance on water and security amid ongoing regional tensions.
Venezuela has released more than 130 political prisoners under the Programme for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, with dozens of detainees reunited with families outside El Rodeo I. The move follows US-brokered talks and a pledge to reform the judiciary, while protesters urge full freedom for all political prisoners.
France’s Constitutional Council has ruled that the law banning under-15s from opening social media accounts is unconstitutional, finding the bill fails to set limits for age verification and disproportionately infringes freedom of expression and privacy. President Emmanuel Macron has asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to draft a revised, legally robust proposal before spring 2027.
The Trump administration has extended counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, coordinating joint air, sea, and land actions with allies. Reports indicate Ecuador and other regional partners are joining ground operations, while critics warn of civilian harm and sovereignty concerns. The campaign has killed hundreds in boat strikes and faces legal and diplomatic scrutiny.
Iran has executed a detainee convicted of 'operational action in favor of hostile groups' as protests over economic hardship surge. The judiciary says others were executed in connection with the rallies, which authorities blame on foreign-backed unrest. Rights groups report casualties far higher than government tallies.
Lev Shlosberg, deputy chairman of Yabloko, has been sentenced to 11 years and 1 month in prison for discrediting the Russian armed forces and spreading false information about the war in Ukraine. The case marks a new blow to Russia's dissidence as Yabloko faces election bans and authorities tighten controls.
A landslide at an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye, CAR, near the Cameroon border, has killed more than 100 miners and left many others missing. Authorities fear the toll will rise as rescue teams continue operations; several Cameroonian workers are among the dead. An investigation has been opened into the incident.
Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in Hong Kong's High Court and faces additional years behind bars while already serving a four-year, eight-month sentence for a separate national security conviction. Rights groups and supporters say the new charge is designed to extend his detention and chill dissent across the city.
Israeli justice and security officials have announced the death-penalty framework is advancing. Ben-Gvir has publicly shown a site with foundations for a hang facility and viewing booths for victims’ families, as protests and international condemnation mount. The plan applies to Palestinians tried in military courts and has sparked debate over discriminatory application and safeguards.
Seven people have been charged with malicious damage for a March 8, 2025 protest at Donald Trump’s Turnberry resort and prosecutors have alleged the offences were "aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection." The first hearing has been adjourned to October; critics warn terrorist-linked sentencing will greatly lengthen prison terms for protest offences.
Nigeria’s security forces are mounting an intelligence-led rescue operation after mass abductions in Niger state’s Borgu region. Presidents Tinubu has ordered a major response; officials say dozens were killed and hundreds abducted as worshippers were seized during Friday prayers. Update notes ongoing efforts to locate abductees and neutralise threats.
A migrant boat carrying 15 people sank off Zarzis, Tunisia, killing and injuring several. One survivor has been rescued, with bodies recovered over two days as protests erupt in Ben Guerdane. The incident follows years of cracked migration policies and EU-Tunisia cooperation.
Worshippers abducted in Dekera village have sparked a national security operation. President Tinubu has ordered a coordinated rescue and security services are pursuing the attackers as relatives appeal for the return of the hostages.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Osman Kavala’s continued detention after his 2022 life sentence violates his rights, citing structural flaws in Turkey’s judiciary. The court calls for Kavala’s immediate release and notes a pattern of political influence on justice in Turkey.
The Gao Brothers’ artist Gao Zhen has been sentenced to three years in a Hebei prison for works that authorities deem insulting to revolutionary figures. He has been detained since August 2024 and plans to appeal. Amnesty International and UN groups condemn the ruling as a crackdown on artistic expression.
Montreal's City Council has passed a watered-down motion expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and civilian victims, while removing calls to sever ties with Israel and denounce apartheid. The amended motion backs international law and calls on federal and provincial governments to lead diplomacy, amid ongoing debates and protests.
Security forces are conducting a coordinated rescue operation after mass abductions in Niger State. Reports indicate hundreds of victims and rising kidnap-for-ransom incidents; authorities vow to pursue those responsible.
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan remains in prison on corruption charges. His sons Suleiman and Kasim Khan have voiced concerns about his treatment and security in prison during media interviews broadcast during a Pakistan-England Test, while officials weigh potential tensions over the tour.
Imran Khan remains in solitary confinement as health concerns escalate; his UK-based sons say authorities have denied visas and that a court-ordered medical evaluation was bypassed. Khan has been in prison since 2023, with international observers calling for humane treatment while the government maintains health improvements.
A set of recent reports shows farmers adapting to increasingly unpredictable weather through drought-tolerant crops, smarter irrigation, and climate-smart farming. From Wales and Scotland to Africa and East Africa, communities are expanding local cultivation, improving soil health, and building resilience against droughts, floods, and rising temperatures.
The World Food Programme has reduced aid in the West Bank from 400,000 to 200,000 and cut cash support to Gaza by 40%, warning that further cuts will be unavoidable without new funding. Other UN and aid groups report similar funding constraints as Western donors tighten budgets.
Rights groups report a sustained crackdown on civil society in Tunisia, with arrests, financially targeting NGOs, and suspensions widening under President Saied. The move is described as a strategic clampdown on dissent amid protests and deteriorating living conditions.
The UAE has granted a presidential pardon to Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who faced a 10-year prison sentence and a 200,000 dirham fine in Abu Dhabi. The pardon follows extensive international scrutiny and his extradition from Lebanon in 2024-2025.
Leeds Crown Court has convicted two men, Baqa Haider and Nathan Rivers, for their roles in an "industrial scale" scheme that processed criminal cash into gold and exported it with fake invoices. Haider has been jailed for six years; Rivers has received a 27‑month suspended sentence and a curfew. Police are still seeking three men sentenced in absence.