Duvalier Escapes Human Rights Charges
Source:  CNN

Human rights advocates were enraged with a Haitian judge’s decision not to prosecute former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier for human rights abuses perpetrated during his reign, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and rape. The investigative magistrate ruled that the statute of limitations had run out on those claims.  
 

Abuse Claims Against Mexican Military
Source: The Wall Street Journal

Mexico’s Supreme Court will soon decide if three high-profile human rights cases will be heard in civilian courts. The cases all involve extrajudicial killings allegedly ordered by military commanders. Though the Mexican military is usually shielded from civilian courts, mounting public pressure is forcing President Calderon to push for more aggressive reforms.

Burmese Refugee Numbers Rise
Source: The Irrawaddy

Chinese officials denied reports that large numbers of Kachin refugees have entered China from Burma. Relief workers estimate that upwards of 70,000 people have been forced into refugee camps by fighting in the region. The Chinese government has been unwilling to assist refugees who cross the border, a spokesman for one relief group said.


Threatened Journalist Deported from Malaysia
Source: The BBC

Human rights groups are protesting the decision of Malaysian authorities to deport a Saudi Arabian journalist. Hamza Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia after receiving death threats due to his Tweets about the Prophet Muhammad. Kashgari could be executed in Saudi Arabia if he is found guilty of insulting the prophet, Amnesty International claims.

Peruvian Protesters Demanding Clean Water
Source: Latinamerica Press

Protesters in Peru are demanding an amendment to the national constitution that would declare clean water a human right. A major mining initiative in Peru’s northern region has prompted protests as concerns over the project’s environmental impacts, particularly on water resources, grow. The mining project would appropriate the main water sources for a local community.


Deadly Honduran Prison Fire
Source: Time World

A raging fire left more than 300 inmates dead and 21 injured in one of Honduras’ many deteriorating and overcrowded prisons. Honduras ranks as having one of the highest violent crime rates in the world. While government officials often promise to upgrade prison conditions, they claim a lack of funding for their inaction.

Ugandan Official Closes LGBT Workshop
Source: Human Rights Watch

A Ugandan official  closed a leadership training workshop for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists that was “against tradition.” The closure followed the reintroduction of a bill to criminalize LGBT activity in the country. Human Rights Watch encouraged the Ugandan government to apologize and to respect the right to assemble.


Libyan Militias Threaten Stability
Source: allAfrica

Former revolutionaries in Libya are violating human rights with little interference from the new government, Amnesty International reports. Some groups have allegedly detained and tortured supporters of former President Muammar Gaddafi. Among the victims are African migrants and refugees suspected of serving as pro-Gaddafi mercenaries. The Libyan government says it is trying to regain control.

Scottish Law Violates ECHR
Source: The BBC

A Scottish appellate court rejected a law for violating Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The law required suspects to provide fingerprints and other personal information to police, while limiting judicial discretion over criminal bail. The law “is incompatible with the rights secured to the citizen by Article 5,” one judge wrote.
 

Officials Decry Anti-Immigrant Website
Source:  The Sofia Echo

A website created by the right-wing Dutch Freedom Party has come under fire from officials in Central and Eastern Europe. The website asks visitors to submit complaints against immigrants from countries including Romania and Bulgaria. The website is discriminatory and an affront to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, critics say.

Exiled Iranians Relocated
Source:  Khaleej Times

Four hundred Iranians living in Iraq for 30 years were forcefully relocated to a military base in Iraq in order to improve relations with Iran. The exiles, who aim to topple Iran’s clerical leaders, complain of degrading treatment and poor conditions at the base. The U.N. hopes to screen the group for asylum eligibility. 


Saudi Arabia’s Female Athletes
Source: Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch has called upon the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to condition Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Olympics on ending discrimination against women in sports. The IOC Charter bans discrimination in sports based on gender. Saudi Arabian girls are not offered physical education in public schools and many laws restrict female participation in athletics.

Rights Activist in Grave Condition
Source: EuraAsiaNet

Azimjan Askarov, an Uzbek activist, has been imprisoned in Kyrgyzstan since 2010. Recently, his attorney asked the international community for assistance as Askarov is supposedly in “grave physical condition” and being held in a prison basement. Rights organizations from around the world have petitioned the Kyrgyz president for Askarov’s immediate release and medical assistance.
 

Home Ministry Fighting Human Trafficking
Source: Times of India

A toddler, the child of a possible human trafficking victim ,was brought to a Delhi hospital after he was found with serious injuries. This has prompted officials in the Home Ministry to push for local enforcement of anti-human trafficking laws. The Home Ministry has incentivized compliance with anti-human trafficking laws with awards for local officials.