The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other attorneys have urged a federal appeals court to uphold Guantánamo prisoner Mohamedou Ould Salahi's successful challenge to his detention.  Earlier this year, a judge ordered Salahi released on the grounds he was being held unlawfully.  Despite the victory in March 2010, the U.S. government is appealing the ruling.

Mosques to become Symbol of Freedom?
Source: Human Rights Watch

Upholding the right to build mosques and Muslim community centers despite strong protests is an important declaration of the right to freedom of religion.  However, several U.S. states are currently deliberating over the exact meaning of this right as protected under the U.S. Constitution and international treaties.

During a recent anti-crime conference, Vietnam and China signed a pact aimed at preventing and managing illegal human trafficking across their borders.   The signing of the pact marked the sixtieth anniversary of official diplomatic relations between the two countries.  This was the second conference related to curtailing crime between Vietnam and China.

Thai Teachers Targets of Attacks
Source: Human Rights Watch

Teachers in the southern border province of Thailand recently became the target of attacks by ethnic Malay Muslim insurgents.  The Teacher Federation of Narathiwat closed schools and halted all classes in the province for three days to ensure the safety of teachers and students.
 

Canada has agreed to donate $22 million to Colombia in an effort to enrich the lives of Colombian children and strengthen transnational cooperation between the two countries.  Among other aims, the initiative will attempt to provide 15,000 children with access to education and protect 6,000 at-risk adolescents from recruitment by illegal armed groups.

Peru Protects Human Rights Violators
Source: Latin America Press

The Peruvian government recently issued a decree that may terminate trials of military and police persons charged with human rights violations.  The decree may exempt those not sentenced within three years and those who committed crimes before Peru signed the Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity.

Hershey Company, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the U.S., appears to be dragging its feet in addressing decent working conditions in the African countries where it gets its cocoa.   A new report accuses Hershey of lagging behind its competitors in embracing the Fair Trade label, among other things.

More Rights for Zambian Women
Source: Times of Zambia

The Zambian Ministry of Justice tasked the Zambia Law Development Commission with developing legislation to give women who marry under customary law more rights.  The proposed additional rights include inheriting property and receiving financial support in the event of divorce or death of the husband.

The United Kingdom recently proposed cuts to the welfare system which would put low income citizens at risk of losing their benefits.  Additionally, the cuts will result in job losses.  The welfare cuts come after Chancellor George Osborne blamed welfare recipients of making poor lifestyle choices.
 

France Defends Deportation of Roma
Source: The Guardian

Recently, the European Commission informed France that it could face legal charges following its actions to deport Roma immigrants from the country.  France offered Roma immigrants financial incentives to return to Romania and Bulgaria.  France defended its removal of Roma immigrants to their home countries on “voluntary departure” flights.
 

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Children born as a result of forced marriages in Iraq face unique problems.  These children, conceived when al-Qaeda controlled large portions of the country, have no birth certificates and are therefore unable to go to school.   Mothers struggle to stand up for their children’s rights due to fear that they will be considered al-Qaeda accomplices.

Syrian Teenager Arrested For Blogging
Source: Aljazeera

Human Rights Watch has asked Syrian officials to release a high school student who has been detained without charge since December.  Tal al-Mallohi, age 19, was arrested for content on her blog that the Syrian government found objectionable.  She has had no contact with her family since her arrest.

Bangladesh Drafts New Child Policy
Source: The Daily Star

Bangladesh’s newly drafted National Child Policy 2010 aims to provide a social safety net for children and gradually eradicate child labor.   The policy expands the definition of children from individuals under 14 years to those under 18 years.  The policy also intends to cooperate with NGOs to offer free health services and education to children.

Fair Trial Sought for Uzbeks
Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International is pushing for ethnic Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan to receive a fair trial as they face charges of killing a police officer during the violent interethnic conflict in June.   While in custody, the defendants have been attacked by relatives of the deceased police officer and possibly by officials as well.