Displaying items by tag: human rights

A group of 47 prominent pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong, including activists, journalists, and former lawmakers, have been sentenced to prison terms of up to ten years on subversion charges. This marks the largest prosecution under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. Among the defendants was Joshua Wong, a well-known student leader, who shouted ‘I love Hong Kong’ before he left the dock. The group had been involved in organising an unofficial primary election in 2020, which the government labelled a subversive attempt to undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy. The crackdown, which follows the violent 2019 pro-democracy protests, shows the severe erosion of political freedoms in the city. Western governments and human rights groups condemned the trials as politically motivated. With many opposition leaders either imprisoned or in exile, Hong Kong’s once vibrant pro-democracy movement is all but silenced. This transformation has prompted widespread international concern over Hong Kong’s future autonomy.

Daniel Ortega’s government has forced Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera Gutiérrez, president of Nicaragua’s bishops’ conference, to go into exile in Guatemala. He had complained about government officials placing loudspeakers outside a church during Sunday Mass, and also called the actions of the local mayor sacrilegious. CSW sources report that the authorities frequently play loud music outside churches to disturb religious activities, particularly on Sundays and holy days. After the bishop was arrested, his diocese’s Facebook page was deleted. Religious leaders in Nicaragua face growing hostility, with priests under surveillance and Protestant pastors receiving threats: the government has also seized a prominent Jesuit-run university in Managua. CSW has strongly criticised Ortega’s continued repression of religious freedom, calling for the international community to hold him and his regime to account for their ‘ongoing and systematic violation of human rights’.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a Christian charity volunteer, has won £13,000 in compensation and received an apology after being wrongfully arrested twice for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in a 'buffer zone' - an area designated to prevent actions that may intimidate women entering the clinic. Her first arrest occurred in November 2022, but she was cleared of charges in February 2023 when prosecutors failed to present evidence. Despite this, she was arrested again for the same action weeks later. Supported by ADF International, she pursued legal action against the police, citing wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and human rights violations. Although grateful for her vindication, Vaughan-Spruce expressed concern that Christians should not have to fight for their rights in such a manner. Her case emerges as government ministers review police guidelines, potentially redefining the legal standing of 'silent prayer' near abortion clinics across England and Wales.

When Luca was born in Perth two years ago, his parents were devastated by his diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Australia's strict immigration policies then compounded their distress by denying their permanent residency, deeming Luca a potential financial burden due to his medical condition. Australia, which prides itself as a ‘migration nation’, routinely rejects visas if medical costs exceed A$86,000 (£45,000) over ten years. Despite having lived in Australia for eight years and filling crucial job roles, Luca’s parents face the possibility of deportation – an example of the policy’s harshness. The government has defended the law, but it is surprising that its own immigration act is treated as exempt from its disability discrimination act. The immigration minister has mentioned the possibility of ministerial intervention for affected children, yet the process is often gruelling. Campaigners argue this policy is discriminatory and outdated, and are pushing for reform.

A BBC analysis has revealed extensive efforts by oil companies and public bodies to protect their premises from environmental protesters through civil injunctions. More than 400 protesters have  been named in orders affecting over 1,200 locations in England and Wales, including oil terminals and petrol stations. These injunctions also target ‘persons unknown’, which would allow anyone to be prosecuted. The unprecedented use of these injunctions has sparked debate, with oil companies and public bodies claiming they prevent dangerous protests, while lawyers for protesters argue they create a ‘privatised system of justice’ lacking criminal law safeguards. Breaching an injunction can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment. Protesters argue that the injunctions unfairly limit their rights, and Friends of the Earth are now taking a case to the European Court of Human Rights, challenging their use. Legal aid limitations and potentially high legal costs deter many from contesting these orders.

The Government's Rwanda bill faced fresh setbacks in the House of Lords, with Labour-backed amendments passing despite previous reversals in the Commons. These amendments include exceptions for children and adherence to international law. Rishi Sunak has faced ongoing resistance since the proposal was announced in April 2022. While the government's majority suggests amendments may be overturned, the margin of defeat narrowed as additional peers were enlisted. The bill must reconcile differences between the Commons and Lords before becoming law, a process known as parliamentary ping-pong. Some peers emphasised the importance of international and domestic laws, including human rights and modern slavery legislation, in their amendments. They also supported measures requiring independent verification of Rwanda's safety and exemptions for individuals who had assisted the UK military or government abroad. Sunak has vowed to curb illegal immigration, emphasising the bill's role in this effort.

Oleg Orlov, a veteran human rights campaigner, has been sentenced to two and a half years in jail for criticising Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Orlov, 70, served as a leader in the Memorial human rights organisation, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 but was subsequently banned in Russia. He faced charges of ‘discrediting’ the Russian army by claiming it was engaged in ‘mass murder’ in Ukraine. Orlov staunchly defended his actions in court, lambasting the Russian state's descent into authoritarianism and fascism. The closure of Memorial marked a significant escalation in Vladimir Putin's crackdown on dissenting voices. Orlov's imprisonment reflects a broader trend of silencing anti-war activists. In his closing statement, Orlov paid tribute to Alexei Navalny, who died in prison on 9 February: he will be buried in Moscow on 1 March. on 1 March.

The Christian Institute, through its Let Us Pray campaign, is defending the normal activities of churches against potential government bans on so-called 'conversion therapy’. This term encompasses various practices, including abusive ones already illegal. LGBT campaigners seek to criminalise even biblical preaching, prayer, pastoral care, and parenting that does not endorse liberal theology. The Christian Institute has engaged solicitors in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland to prepare for a potential judicial review if such bans restrict religious freedom. Legal advice warns that an overly broad ban could breach the European Convention on Human Rights and lead to legal challenges against the government. The Christian Institute has previously succeeded in judicial reviews against UK governments in 2007 and 2016. However,the controversial legislation was left out of the King's speech: see

A court in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia has sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness (JW) follower to seven years in prison on charges of ‘extremism’. Yevgeny Bushev had been under house arrest for over a year on allegations of continuing ‘the illegal activities of a banned religious organisation’. In 2017 the Supreme Court declared the JW movement to be extremist, banning its estimated 400 branches across the country. Bushev is the 15th JW follower from the region to be prosecuted. The prosecution’s witness was an employee of the National Guard (Rosgvardia) who had ‘shown interest in the Bible’: a linguistic examination concluded that Bushev had ‘tempted’ him to accept the JW faith when responding to questions about religion. International human rights NGOs have condemned Russia’s crackdown on JW followers in the years since the ban, and in June 2022 the European Court of Human Rights said that Russia had violated over 1,400 followers' right to religious freedom.

Six young people from wildfire and heatwave-affected areas in Portugal have taken 32 European governments to court, accusing them of violating their human rights by not taking sufficient action on climate change. The case, filed in September 2020 against all the EU member states and also Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, and Turkey, is the largest climate case ever heard by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. A ruling is expected in the first half of 2024. The applicants argue that the failure to address climate change endangers their rights to life and physical and mental well-being. One of the applicants, 15-year-old Andre Oliveira, highlighted the impact of heat extremes on his ability to exercise and spend time outdoors, leading to sleep difficulties and worsening conditions due to weak climate policies.