Mexican Military in Civilian Courts
Source: Los Angeles Times

The Mexican Supreme Court ruled that members of the military will now be tried in civilian courts as opposed to military tribunals. Human rights groups praised the decision since they believe the military is incapable of adequately prosecuting their own officers and other personnel accused of extrajudicial killings, torture, and other abuses. 
 

Child Labor Suit Falls Short
Source: The New York Times

America’s most-cited judge, Richard Posner, ruled in favor of Firestone National Rubber Company in a class action suit brought on behalf of child laborers in Liberia. Posner was not convinced there was enough evidence to prove outright exploitation, but his decision cemented the notion that corporations could be sued for human rights abuses.

Rape Allegations Against Burmese Soldiers
Source: The Irrawaddy Post

Burmese soldiers are perpetrating sexual violence against village women, according to human rights organizations. Clashes between government troops and armed ethnic groups in the country have intensified over the last few months. Human rights workers have documented cases of soldiers raping women and children in occupied towns in the Shan and Kachin states.

Malaysian Capital Rocked by Protests
Source: Reuters

Government forces reportedly arrested more than 1,400 demonstrators in Kuala Lumpur during protests in support of democratic reforms. Police officers fired tear gas and water cannons on the crowd whose members oppose the government of Prime Minister Najib Razak. The detained included at least three senior-level opposition leaders.

Guatemala Tries Ex-General for Genocide
Source: Latinamerica Press

Guatemala is prosecuting Héctor Mario López Fuentes, ex-general of the armed forces, for genocide and crimes against humanity. From 1982 to 1983, the armed forces carried out mass killings of civilians including thousands of indigenous Mayas. Fuentes authorized most of the killings that were part of a government initiative to eradicate the guerrilla groups.

Proposed Gay-Marriage Reform in Chile
Source: The Santiago Times  

Chilean president Sebastián Piñera released a proposal that allows gay couples to apply for civil union after living together for one year. Members of the conservative parties expressed their disapproval while gay rights activists convey their support for the president. Piñera will submit the final proposal to Congress after the parties review it.

Human Trafficking Workshop in AngolaSouth
Source: allAfrica.com

The International Organization of Migration sponsored a workshop in Angola in July to help combat human trafficking. The workshop emphasized the role of civil society and non-governmental organizations in supplementing government programs. One goal of the event was to help participants learn to tell trafficked persons apart from illegal immigrants, coordinators said.  

Appalling Prison Conditions in Uganda
Source: Human Rights Watch

Inmates in Uganda face appalling conditions including overcrowding, disease, forced labor, and violence, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports. The elderly, pregnant women, and the disabled are especially vulnerable and have been burned, stoned, or caned for refusing to perform hard labor. HRW is calling on the government to ameliorate conditions within its prisons.

EU Combats Child Exploitation
Source: The Sofia Echoi

The European Union (EU) has drafted legislation that would increase penalties for offenses against children including abuse, exploitation, and pornography. It would be the first EU law to criminalize “sex tourism” involving children. The law would also require EU member states to remove or block child pornography sites on the Web.   
 

Britain Proposes Family Migration Changes
Source: The Guardian

British lawmakers have proposed new restrictions designed to limit the number of people admitted under family migration laws. The proposals would introduce a minimum income requirement as well as long waiting periods for spouses and partners. Some officials have also proposed amending European human rights laws to make it easier to deport spouses.

Sexual Harassment Website Helps Egyptians
Source: Gulf News

Volunteers in Egypt have introduced HarassMap, a website aimed at reporting sexual harassment endured by women in Cairo. The map will be used to identify harassment hot spots and encourage dialogue about sexual harassment in Egypt. The website reports the location and type of abuse and also provides women with support services.

Watchdog Criticizes Iraqi Draft Law
Source: Kuwaiti Times 

Human Rights Watch condemned the Iraqi government for drafting a law that limits citizens’ freedom of assembly and expression, and violates international law. The law gives authorities broad power to curtail rights of citizens but provides no guidance as to the interpretation of the restrictions placed and the penalties involved for violation of the law.

Azerbaijan to Limit Underage Marriages
Source: Eurasianet.org

Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Family, Women and Children is seeking to lower the high rates of underage marriages. 37% of women marry under the age of 18, with 61% of those marriages being forced on the women. Most of the forced marriages are based on a misinterpretation of Islamic law, which actually forbids forced marriages.  
 

Few Imprisoned for Human Trafficking
Source: Time

The Royal Thai police has initiated Operation Graceland, to rescue Uzbek women engaged in forced prostitution. The operation freed twelve women but has yet to lead to a successful prosecution of their captors. Human trafficking cases rarely lead to convictions because the witnesses are scared to testify against their captors or scared of the police.