MPs approve “callous” cut to UK overseas aid budget

On Tuesday 13 July 2021, British MPs voted in favour of a £4bn reduction to the UK’s overseas assistance budget, reneging on a 2019 manifesto promise to keep aid spending at 0.7% of gross national income (GNI). The cuts, approved by a majority of 333 to 298, are projected to bring the foreign aid budget to its lowest point in 9 years. The move has been the subject of widespread, … Read more →

Controversial UK Freedom of Speech bill needs a mask to protect from hate

The UK government has been accused of giving extremist rhetoric a platform by bolstering protections for hate speech; introducing legislation that would enable individuals to sue universities and student groups. The controversial bill, entitled the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, has been described as “troubling and dangerous” by Labour and has now passed its second reading, with 367 MPs voting in favour of Labour’s amendment and 216 voting against. … Read more →

#HRC47 Day 13 Will human rights be a contender at upcoming Olympics

On 7 July 2021, the significance of sport and the Olympic ideal with regard to human rights for young people was highlighted by a panel of experts at the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The contents of the June 2020 UN resolution, entitled “Promoting human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal”, was discussed by the panel throughout the session. Olympics and human rights Nada … Read more →