Mexico Acknowledges 27,000 missing people
Source: Kansas City Star

On the heels of a damning report issued by Human Rights Watch, Mexico announced plans to release records describing the circumstances regarding 27,000 missing people. It is believed that most of the disappearances involved public security and law enforcement officials. Mexico is accused of ignoring the problem of forced disappearances.

Lawyers Visiting Cells of Guantanamo Prisoners
Source: Chicago Tribune

A military judge has ruled that defense lawyers representing the prisoners accused of planning the 9/11 attacks can visit the secret cells they are being held in to determine if the prisoners are being held in harsh conditions. If the prisoners are convicted of war crimes, harsh prison conditions can be considered a mitigating factor to avoid the death penalty.

Japan Carries Out Capital Punishment
Source: The Japan Times

The Japanese government executed three men for committing murders. Japan’s Minister of Justice justified the decision because of the extremely brutal nature of the crimes. Japan has remained isolated on the subject of capital punishment and considers it a domestic issue, despite the international trend of abolishing the death penalty.

ASEAN’s Help Requested for Lao Activist
Source: The Irrawaddy

Human Rights Watch has asked ASEAN to help investigate the disappearance of Lao Activist Sombath Somphone. He was last seen on December 15, 2012 in the custody of Lao police. ASEAN’s human rights commission has been urged to intervene because it has the right to obtain information from member states.

Settlers Occupying Nicaraguan Indigenous Land
Source: Latinamerica Press

Nicaraguan indigenous people holding title to the Mayangna Sauni Arungka territory confronted settlers who demanded that the government give them that territory for farming. Nicaraguan law protects the right of the indigenous to manage their traditional lands. The president of the territory is urging the government to force the settlers to leave their lands.
  

Mining Company Sues Colombian Town
Source: Colombia Reports

AngloGold Ashanti, a South African mining company, is suing the Colombian town of Piedras, alleging that its residents are violating the freedom of movement of company employees. Residents established a roadblock to protest the development of a large ore processing plant, which could adversely affect the environment of the primarily agricultural area.

Global Walk for Clean Water
Source: newsfromafrica.com

Joining the rest of the world, over 170,000 Africans have pledged to walk in recognition of World Water Day. A significant population in sub-Saharan Africa still lacks access to clean water and sanitation. The global demonstration of solidarity also aims to encourage world leaders to keep their promises to provide access to clean water.

Improved Access to Maternal Health Care
Source: allafrica.com

South Africa’s North West province is working to reduce child and maternal mortality. The province, in partnership with North West University, established a human milk bank and maternity homes, which will house pregnant women from remote areas. The program will improve access to health care and reduce maternal deaths exacerbated by lack of transportation.

Ireland Apologizes for Magdalene Laundries
Source: BBC News

The Irish Prime Minister has issued a public apology to the 10,000 women and girls who were forced to perform unpaid labor in laundries run by Catholic nuns between 1922 and 1996. An inquiry revealed that 2,000 women were sent to the laundries by Irish authorities. The women were unable to leave the laundries once they were admitted.
 

ECHR and British Soldiers Abroad
Source:The Guardian

A British supreme court is hearing cases brought by families of soldiers killed in Iraq who allege that the British government breached the European Convention on Human Rights by not adequately protecting the soldiers. The Government maintains that the Convention does not apply to UK personnel abroad. The decision will likely shape military operations overseas.

Saudi Women Join Advisory Council
Source: Al Arabiya

Thirty Saudi women were sworn into the Shura Council this month by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. It is the first time women will be a part of the Council, which is appointed by the King to propose laws that he can choose to accept or reject.

Electoral Law May Cement Divisions
Source: The New York Times

A joint committee in Lebanon’s parliament expressed support this month for a new electoral law that would allow people to vote only for members of their own sect. Some worry that this measure would further inflame divisions in this country, where a tenuous peace exists between Sunnis, Shiites, and Christians.

Uzbek Police Educated on Human Rights
Source: uznews.net

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe is educating Uzbek police about human rights. Many activists believe the courses are superficial and serve to only appease the world community. Instead, the activists advise policemen to read and abide by the Uzbek constitution.
 

India Welcomes Afghan Artist
Source: BBC News

Malina Suliman, a young Afghan graffiti artist, was welcomed by a prestigious art school in India after fleeing her hometown of Kandahar because of on-going death threats against her and her family. Ms. Suliman was targeted by the Taliban for being a female graffiti artist. She hopes for an Afghanistan where gender equality is realized.