News

As 1.5 billion Muslims in the world start observing Ramadan, authorities in China have launched a further crackdown on religious practices of the Uyghur people. According to an Amnesty International report of 3 May, open displays of religion or any religious symbols such as wearing a headscarf, prayer, fasting or avoiding alcohol or pork are now considered as a ‘sign of extremism’ by the Chinese authorities. Being found carrying out … Read more →

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced £15.5m of UK aid money would be given to help Ethiopia run transparent, free and fair elections at the opening ceremony of the 26th celebration of World Press Freedom Day. During his speech, he also announced a new Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship programme, providing opportunities to 60 African journalists from 11 different countries to gain experience with Britain’s leading media organisations. “If successful … Read more →

The UN has been in serious talks with China at the Belt and Road Forum, an international conference that saw 37 world leaders converge on the Chinese capital of Bejing. Despite China’s efforts at collaboration, leaders from the UK, France, Germany, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada chose to not attend the talks. The Belt and Road Forum aims to develop improved international cooperation. But the focus quickly … Read more →

With only four years left until kick off at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, violations of workers’ rights are still a key concern for the international human rights community. FIFA aims to expand the tournament from its current eight stadium, 32-team tournament, to a 48-team tournament. This planned expansion would require the building of two more stadiums in the region, bringing Qatar’s poor record for workers’ rights into … Read more →

The US has put women’s rights in jeopardy after weakening a UN measure on sexual violence. The Security Council resolution was adopted on 23 April 2019 after a heated debate in which members debated for over 3 hours on Resolution 2467. The resolution was adopted, but excluded references in the text to sexual and reproductive health, after the US strongly opposed the language used. The resolution was backed by a … Read more →

The funeral of the murdered journalist Lyra McKee – the first journalist to be shot and killed in the UK in 20 years – took place in Belfast on 24 April. It was attended by political leaders from Belfast, Dublin and London including Theresa May, the President of Ireland, the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist party (DUP), sat beside … Read more →