Niger's military junta disbanded four big justice-sector unions on August 7, 2025, with no reason. The justice minister subsequently asserted that the unions had surrendered to private interests at the expense of their responsibilities. This is part of an overall crackdown since the junta seized power in July 2023 on opposition, media, civil society groups, [...]
A new UN report says Afghan women working for the United Nations in Afghanistan have received direct death threats. These threats, made in May, came from unknown people because of the women’s work with UN groups. The Taliban denied making the threats and said an investigation is happening, but a Taliban official claimed there were [...]
Since July 16’2025, the Taliban have arrested many women and girls in Kabul for not following strict dress rules. A new Taliban order from August 2024 says women must fully cover their bodies and faces in public. These arrests are part of the Taliban’s efforts to control women and remove them from public life. Women [...]
Brunei’s civic space is rated as “repressed” by international human rights organizations. The country is ruled by an absolute monarchy, and the Sultan holds full power under a state of emergency in place since 1962. There are no laws that protect freedom of speech, assembly, or association. Strict laws like the Sedition Act and Penal [...]
Former Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been held in detention since a military coup removed him from power on July 26, 2023. Soldiers led by General Abdourahamane Tiani took control of the government and arrested Bazoum and his wife. They have been held at the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey, without access to family [...]
Saudi Arabia is banning many of its citizens, especially activists, from leaving the country in what human rights groups call a cruel way to silence criticism. Women’s rights activists like Loujain al-Hathloul and Maryam al-Otaibi are among those affected, with long travel bans placed on them and sometimes their family members. These bans often follow [...]
Silivri, once known as a quiet coastal town near Istanbul, is now infamous for its massive prison complex. Built in 2008 to modernize Türkiye’s jails, it became central to high-profile trials, including that of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, now jailed for insulting a public official. Originally seen as a symbol of progress, Silivri later became [...]
Afghan returnees face danger and hardship in Afghanistan, especially since the Taliban took power in 2021. Many are sent back from countries like Pakistan, Iran, Turkiye, and some in Europe, even though Afghanistan is still unsafe. The Taliban’s strict rules, especially against women and minorities, make life very hard. Women are banned from school, most [...]
The United Nations reviewed Laos’ human rights record and found little improvement since five years ago. Laos received 271 recommendations from other countries, mostly repeating past concerns. Countries urged Laos to investigate attacks and disappearances of critics, protect freedoms like speech and assembly, and follow international human rights rules. Despite this, the government continues to [...]
Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was arrested in 2018 for allegedly running a social media account that exposed corruption in the royal family. He was held in secret, tortured, and denied legal help or contact with his family. In 2025, after seven years in prison, Saudi Arabia executed him. Al-Jasser had written about sensitive issues like [...]