New UN investigative mechanism for Afghanistan
31/10/2025
On 6 October the Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a long-sought resolution (60/2) to create an independent investigative mechanism (IIM) to advance accountability for past and ongoing international crimes and grave human rights violations committed in Afghanistan. Led by the European Union, … [Read more...]
Philippines: Duterte arrested for crimes against humanity
17/03/2025
Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada welcomes the arrest of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on 11 March 2025. He is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity during his time as president from 2016 to 2022 and while mayor … [Read more...]
Colombia violates right to defend human rights | IACtHR
20/03/2024
Inter-American Court finds Colombia in violation of the right to defend human rights In a historic decision, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights finds Colombia internationally responsible for violating the right to defend human rights According to the ruling, the Colombian State … [Read more...]
Thailand: Acquittal in SLAPP against whistleblower Chutima Sidasathian
08/03/2024
On 6 March 2024, a Thai court in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) province acquitted anti-corruption whistleblower Dr. Chutima Sidasathian on three charges of criminal defamation. The three charges against Dr Chutima were brought by a local elected official, Mayor Thanonthorn Kaveekitrattana, in May … [Read more...]
Global Coalition accepts UN Human Rights Prize
26/12/2023
New York, 15 December, 2023 — Today the Global Coalition of Civil Society, Indigenous Peoples, Social Movements, and Local Communities for the Universal Recognition of the Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment accepted the prestigious 2023 United Nations Human Rights … [Read more...]
Russia: Voted off UN ECOSOC’s Committee on NGOs after 75 years
15/04/2022
News update: On 13 April 2022, the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) elected 19 members of the UN Committee on NGOs, a body mandated to accredit NGOs to the UN. Russia was voted off the Committee after being a member since the establishment of the Committee in 1947. There are no term … [Read more...]
UN General Assembly suspends Russia from Human Rights Council
07/04/2022
News update: On 7 April 2022, the UN General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from its membership in the UN Human Rights Council based on UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251, which provides that all members of the Council "shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human … [Read more...]
Thailand: Angkhana Neelapaijit appointed to UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances
07/04/2022
LRWC welcomes the 1 April 2022 decision of the UN Human Rights Council to appoint Angkhana Neelapaijit, a prominent human rights advocate in Thailand, to the UN Working Group on enforced and involuntary disappearances (WGEID). Angkhana Neelapaijit has served as the Chair of the Working Group for … [Read more...]
Saudi Arabia: Raif Badawi released | Update
15/03/2022
Raif Badawi released after 10 years of arbitrary detention but he remains subject to 10-year travel ban Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada welcomes the 11 March 2022 release of blogger and human rights defender Mr. Raif Badawi, now 38, after serving a ten-year prison sentence. He was also sentenced to … [Read more...]
China: Arbitrarily detained lawyer Yu Wensheng released | Update
04/03/2022
Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada welcomes the news that Chinese human rights lawyer Mr. Yu Wensheng has been released from prison after completing a four year prison sentence for "inciting subversion of State power." He was reunited with his wife Ms. Xu Yan in Beijing. However, there are significant … [Read more...]
