By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image A person at the keyboard. © 2017 Press Association via AP Photo On November 21, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree establishing a new centralized digital platform that dramatically expends state surveillance powers. The system, known as the Centralized Information and Digital Analytics System (MİRAS), will be controlled by the State Security Service and fully operational by May 2026.MİRAS is designed to consolidate public data from multiple state bodies— including the Special State Service for communications and information security, and the Interior Ministry—centralize…
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By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image A deserted street in Uvira, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on December 9, 2025, before Rwandan and M23 forces captured the town. © 2025 AFP via Getty Images (Nairobi) –The Rwandan forces and M23 armed group that captured the city of Uvira in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on December 10, 2025, have put civilians at grave risk of abuse, Human Rights Watch said today. These forces and the Congolese military and its allies should facilitate safe passage for civilians fleeing the fighting and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches all…
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By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image Displaced Syrian children laugh and play among temporary tents set up after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government near Idlib, Syria, May 15, 2025. © 2025 Omar Albaw/Middle East Images via AFP/Getty Images Each year, Human Rights Watch reflects on progress in children’s rights worldwide. From better access to education to stronger protections in wartime, these are some highlights from 2025.New data from the International Labour Organization and UNICEF found 20 million fewer children involved in child labor than in 2020.Malawi and Japan both abolished school…
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By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image Ali Muhammad Ali Abd al-Rahman (also known as Ali Kosheib), a former leader of the Sudanese “Janjaweed” militias, waits to learn his sentence from the International Criminal Court following his conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity, The Hague, Netherlands, December 9, 2025. © 2025 Peter Dejong/AP Photo Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) sentenced Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (also known as Ali Kosheib), a former leader of Sudan’s “Janjaweed” militias, to 20 years in prison. It follows his conviction in October…
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By David Slucki, Loti Smorgon Associate Professor in Contemporary Jewish Life and Culture, Monash University
Idan Dershowitz, Senior Lecturer, Bible Studies, Monash University
Yaffa Bart, Research Associate, Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, Monash University
Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is one of the world’s most widely celebrated Jewish festivals. The Bondi attacks’ timing on its first day is significant – and heartbreaking.
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By Vanessa Cobham, Professor of Clinical Psychology, The University of Queensland
As the community begins to grapple with the horror and tragedy of the Bondi shootings on Sunday, children will likely have questions. Parents may also be wondering how to talk to their little kids and teenagers about what happened.
I am a clinical psychologist and researcher with a focus on children, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Here are some things to keep in mind when talking to children about the tragedy in Bondi (though many of these…
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By Yasmin Mowat, Clinical Project Manager, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
David Irving, Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney
Tens of thousands of people have already volunteered to donate blood. But donations will also be needed in the coming weeks. Here’s what to know.
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By Amnesty International
Responding to today’s conviction of Hong Kong newspaper founder Jimmy Lai on national security charges, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said: “The predictability of today’s verdict does not make it any less dismaying – the conviction of Jimmy Lai feels like the death knell for press freedom in Hong Kong, where the essential work […] The post Hong Kong: Conviction of Jimmy Lai sounds death knell for press freedom appeared first on Amnesty International. ]]>
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By Sangita Swechcha
Global Voices interviewed Moharaj Sharma to explore his path as a poet, journalist, and documentarian, and his enduring efforts to elevate Nepali literature, linguistic traditions, and diaspora narratives.
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By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image Flowers are laid at a tribute outside the Bondi Pavilion to victims of the December 14, 2025 attacks at Sydney's Bondi Beach, December 15, 2025. © 2025 Mark Baker/AP Photo (Sydney) – A summer Sunday evening at Sydney, Australia’s Bondi beach turned into a terrifying nightmare as two gunmen opened fire on people celebrating the first night of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Sixteen people have been confirmed dead, including one of the shooters, with at least 42 injured. A second assailant was taken into custody.“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack…
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