Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s recent acknowledgement that his government regrets past human rights violations is an important step in national healing. However, this will mean little if current attacks on human rights are not addressed. At a press conference in January, Widodo cited 12 “regrettable” events and stated that he
As the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (A.S.E.A.N.) summit ended earlier this month, leaders left Phnom Penh having failed to hold the Tatmadaw to account for its atrocities in Myanmar. In doing so, A.S.E.A.N. has failed a crucial leadership test that will lead to more human suffering. This comes
An Indonesian human rights court has begun a trial to determine whether a former army commander is guilty of crimes against humanity in West Papua. This represents an opportunity to ensure that the rights of West Papuans are protected from state violence and racial discrimination. The trial, in Indonesia’s rarely
A new government has ascended to power in the Philippines, led by Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.. There is hope this transition from former President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership will also mark a transition from his record of human rights abuses. However, concerns remain about the possible treatment of Filipinos under Marcos
India has seen a steep increase in human rights abuses against its citizens, which the international community has so far refused to call out. Regardless of its growing military and economic power, India must be held to account if rule of law and the existing human rights regime are to
Clashes have taken place between Indonesian police and protesters in West Papua, adding to ongoing concerns about allegations of police violence. Younes Douw, a West Papuan human rights activist, claimed that 3000 students and indigenous Papuans participated in the protests. Mr. Douw said that “around 650 students took to the
In a sign that the pressure on the government is beginning to show, it has been reported this week that the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has resigned. While these reports are preliminary and difficult to confirm, it appears that the resignation of Prime Minister Rajapaksa has been pushed
Women and children living in refugee camps in northwest Syria are facing chronic levels of violence, neglect, and abuse, leading to calls for adequate humanitarian assistance and protection. This comes after a recently released report by World Vision has revealed that tens of thousands of women in 28 ‘widow camps’,
The ceasefire between Houthi rebels and the former government is a tentative but positive step towards a stable peace between warring parties in Yemen, leading to hopes that the longstanding conflict is nearing its end. The United Nations’ active involvement in brokering the ceasefire, and the pressuring of both sides to
Sri Lanka’s worsening economic and political crisis has plunged the country into widespread unrest and uncertainty, leading to fears that conditions will worsen and lead to violence and complete economic collapse. This comes after the government’s entire cabinet resigned last week in response to the biggest economic crisis Sri Lanka
In a surprise move, the Taliban have announced that high schools for girls would remain closed until revised plans for attendance are created, in accordance with Islamic law. This represents a further erosion of the human rights of women and girls and raises concerns about and wider prospects for women
As the conflict in Syria drags into its second decade, millions of innocent people are facing a desperate humanitarian situation, with the United Nations reporting a dramatic rise in food insecurity and extreme poverty. This comes after the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator for Syria, Joyce Msuya, briefed the United Nations
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has revealed to the world that some countries are still willing to use aggression and military power to achieve their geo-political aims. This is a rejection of the principles of sovereignty, diplomacy and the rule of law that requires a strong response from the international
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine into its second week, there are increasing calls for the protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the face of alleged war crimes and an increasingly dire humanitarian situation. As it currently stands, the conflict has displaced more than 1.3
According to UNICEF, approximately 165,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe between January and December last year, with most E.U. countries reporting a large increase in arrivals. For example, there were 25,852 arrivals in Spain and 41,000 arrivals in Italy respectively. The rapid change was a result of conflict and
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced last week that France will withdraw its military forces from Mali after more than nine years battling a jihadist insurgency. French Governments have long argued that the intervention into the Sahel was integral to national security and preventing the rise of radical extremism in
President Joe Biden announced on Friday that the United States would move to split billions of dollars in frozen Afghan assets between humanitarian aid and paying out legal claims against the Taliban by families of 9/11 victims. The President advised that three and a half billion dollars would go towards humanitarian
The seemingly unending and tragic humanitarian situation in Yemen is evidence that the international community is obligated to intervene when a conflict begins to acutely effect the civilian population over a long period of time. Without doing so, regional crises like Yemen are allowed to continue, particularly when regional actors
The Polish government has started work on a $400 million wall along their border with Belarus to prevent the illegal entry of refugees. The wall will be approximately 180km long and will be completed in June. This development comes after a year of increased refugee flows from Belarus into Eastern
Talks have begun in Norway between the international community and the Taliban in an attempt to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Issues at hand include human rights concerns over the treatment of Afghans, including women, girls, and minority groups. Women have been banned from most jobs and refused
