News and Updates

Economic, social and cultural rights strengthened

19 June 2008

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a new legal instrument to strengthen the protection of economic, social and cultural rights.

Activist released in Uzbekistan

5 June 2008

Uzbekistani human rights defender Mutabar Tadzhibaeva, who was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2006, was unexpectedly released on Monday, 2 June.

Russian authorities ruled responsible for Chechen women's disappearance

3 June 2008

European Court of Human Rights strongly supports allegations that Aminat Dugaeva and Kurbika Zinabdieva were abducted by Russian servicemen.

Cluster munitions treaty agreed in Dublin

30 May 2008

110 states have agreed a provisional text for a historic new Convention on Cluster Munitions, which is a treaty to ban the "Use, Production and Transfer of Cluster Munitions".

Pakistan ratifies key UN human rights treaty

18 April 2008

Pakistan has ratified a key UN human rights treaty and signed two others.

Royal pardon for Moroccan demonstrators

11 April 2008

Eight men convicted of undermining the monarchy in Morocco last year have been released after they were pardoned by the King. 

Iranian trade unionist freed

11 April 2008

A prominent trade unionist in Iran has been released from detention after serving a one-year prison sentence.

Activists released from prison in Ethiopia

31 March 2008

Two human rights activists have been released from prison in Ethiopia having been detained since November 2005.

Freedom for Moroccan jailed over Facebook profile

20 March 2008

A Moroccan who was jailed for creating a Facebook profile of a prince has been released from prison.

Guatemala disappearance trial begins

18 March 2008

Guatemala's first ever trial for enforced disappearances began last week.