Canadian Minority Groups Discriminated Against
Source: Toronto Star

Amnesty International issued a report detailing a United Nations expert committee finding that Canada is facing problems related to racial discrimination, prevention of torture, and children’s rights. These problems are intensified for indigenous people, and particularly indigenous women and girls, whose human rights are routinely threatened.

Mexicans Seek Damages from US
Source: San Antonio Express-News

The family of a man who was shot and killed by US Border Patrol agents is suing the US for monetary damages. The family argues that because the victim was shot from US soil, he should be protected from unlawful deadly force under the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution.

Ending Female Circumcision in Indonesia
Source: The Jakarta Post

Based on a UN resolution banning female circumcision, the Indonesian government has been urged to adjust their regulations which legalize female circumcision despite its negative effects on the reproductive rights of women. While the UN resolution is not binding, member states have been advised to adhere to the resolution.

Philippines Signs Human Rights Law
Source: BBC News

President Benigno Aquino has signed a new human rights law regulating the forced disappearance or abduction of individuals by state officials. The law makes a distinction between kidnapping and abduction by government forces, which has been plaguing the Philippines since 1986. Human Rights Watch says that this is the first law of its kind in Asia.

Life Sentences for Argentinean Ministers
Source: MercoPress

Several former civil ministers and police agents received life sentences for committing murder, torture, and illegal deprivation of liberty during Argentina’s military dictatorship in the late 1970's to early 1980's. The charges also included illegally establishing six detention centers, where political dissidents were tortured and killed.
  

Costa Rica In-Vitro Ban Revoked
Source: Associated Press

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights struck down Costa Rica’s absolute ban on in-vitro fertilization. Reproductive rights groups applauded the decision, viewing it as an opportunity to challenge other Latin American states absolute bans on abortion. Although the national government does not agree with the decision, it promises to follow the Court’s decision.

Somalis Ordered to Refugee Camps
Source: NewsfromAfrica.com

The Kenyan government issued a directive requiring all Somalian refugees and asylum seekers in urban areas to relocate to the Dadaab refugee camp complex in north eastern Kenya. The government cited security reasons in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. Amnesty International encouraged the government to live up to its obligations under international law.

Ethnic Tensions in Mali Increase
Source: Human Rights Watch

Ethnic tensions are rising in northern Mali due to the government’s failure to stop human rights abuses by both government militias and ethnically allied youth groups. Pro-government militias and youth groups are prepared to retaliate as soon as the government retakes control of the north. The government has been encouraged to take immediate steps to end the abuses.

UK Aids Officials in Ethiopia
Source: The Guardian

Officials from the British Department for International Development have been accused of failing to address allegations of rape, arrests and threats from the Mursi and Bodi ethnic groups committed by the Ethiopian government. Ethiopia, a major recipient of UK aid, has forcibly removed these ethnic groups to pave way for commercial development of the land.
 

Russia to Ban US Adoptions
Source:The New york Times

The Russian Parliament supported a bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children. The bill was drafted to protect the rights of adopted Russian children but is viewed as a response to a recent US bill prohibiting Russians accused of human rights abuse from traveling to, or owning assets in, the US.

Britain Confirms Reparations to Iraqis
Source: Al Jazeera

Britain’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that it has paid reparations to Iraqis who accused British soldiers of illegally detaining and abusing them during Britain’s five-year-long occupation of southeastern Iraq. So far, Britain has paid $22.7 million to 205 claimants, with an average payout of $113,500.

Syrians Endure Cluster Bomb Attack
Source: The New York Times

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad further escalated his campaign against the country’s rebel movement by dropping cluster bombs on a pro-rebel town on December 12. These weapons cannot be used with precision, especially in urban areas, and are banned under international law.

Preventing Uzbek Cotton Imports
Source: The Guardian

Anti-Slavery International is targeting 2,500 stores worldwide in its campaign to stop the use of cotton sourced from Uzbekistan. The organization alleges that Uzbekistan uses the forced labor of adults and children to harvest its main cotton export. Other human rights groups allege that laborers are punished when they do not meet their quotas.

 

Human Rights Day in Armenia
Source: PanArmenia.net

The slogan for the annual Armenian Human Rights campaign this year is “My Voice Counts.” The campaign includes a film festival, debate, and concert centered on giving Armenian youth a chance to be pro-active in the field of international human rights. The UN office in Armenia has organized the event to promote protection of human rights in the digital age.