Human Rights Watch Calls for Stronger Protection of Women Amid Gender-Based Violence Concerns in South Africa
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch is calling for stronger protection of women and girls in South Africa following the discovery of several women’s bodies around Johannesburg and renewed public concern over gender-based violence. In a September 22 statement, Human Rights Watch said the discovery of the bodies had generated fear, anxiety and…
Human Rights Watch Calls for Release of Malian Journalist Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
BAMAKO, MALI (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch is calling for the immediate release of Malian journalist Abdramane Keïta after a national cybercrime court sentenced him to two years in prison. Keïta, director of the newspaper Le Témoin, was sentenced on September 14 following his arrest in Bamako on June 9. Human Rights Watch said the…
Human Rights Watch Raises Concerns Over Treatment of Armenian Prisoners in Azerbaijan
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over the treatment and detention conditions of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, highlighting allegations involving former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh. The organization published its findings on September 21 following information concerning prisoners being held in Azerbaijan after the 2023 Azerbaijani military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Human Rights…
Human Rights Watch Calls for Release of Remaining Political Prisoners in Bhutan
THIMPHU, BHUTAN (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch is calling on Bhutanese authorities to release political prisoners who remain detained as Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay prepares to participate in the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In a September 21 statement, Human Rights Watch said at least 28 political prisoners remain in Bhutanese prisons and…
UNICEF Report Highlights Online Sexual Abuse Risks for Pakistani Children
A UNICEF-backed report is drawing renewed attention to online sexual exploitation and grooming of children in Pakistan, with research cited by AFP estimating that around 1.5 million children experienced online sexual abuse in one year. The report found that approximately 85 per cent of perpetrators were known to victims, while many children did not report…
WHO Says Measles Elimination Gains Remain at Risk in Western Pacific
The World Health Organization says 29 countries and areas in the Western Pacific have maintained their verified measles and rubella elimination status, despite a resurgence of measles globally and regionally. However, WHO warned that progress remains vulnerable. Nine countries — Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam —…
UN AI Panel Calls for Stronger Safeguards as AI Agents Advance
A UN-backed international scientific panel on artificial intelligence is calling for stronger and more adaptable safeguards as increasingly autonomous AI agents create new security and governance challenges. The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI said existing protective measures need to keep pace with rapidly developing AI systems. The panel was established by the UN General…
WFP Warns Aid Cuts Are Deepening Sudan’s Hunger Crisis
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is warning that shrinking humanitarian funding is forcing reductions in food assistance across Sudan and neighbouring countries as the war enters its fourth year. WFP said hundreds of thousands of conflict-displaced people in Sudan, South Sudan and Chad are facing reduced assistance. In Sudan’s Tawila area of North Darfur,…
UN General Assembly Opens as World Leaders Confront Wars, AI and Climate Crisis
The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly’s General Debate opens today, bringing heads of state and government to New York for a week of high-level diplomacy. Nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to participate. The official debate runs from 22 to 28 September, under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation:…
Brisbane Seminar to Address Queensland Human Rights Act and Public Sector Compliance
Brisbane, Australia (HRNW) — Legal advocates, statutory compliance officers, and human rights practitioners will gather in Brisbane on September 23, 2026, for a specialized professional seminar titled “Rights in Action: Enforcing Statutory Human Rights Protections”. Hosted at the Queensland Human Rights Commission facilities, the symposium will examine the practical application of statutory human rights instruments….