Human Rights
Thailand aims to seek a three-year membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council starting this year after it failed to become one of the 13 Asian inaugural members four years ago. The UN General Assembly voted in March 2006 to replace the ...
Record 70 journalist deaths in 2009: rights group
Seventy journalists were killed in 2009, making it the worst year since records began 30 years ago, the Committee to Protect Journalists says.
UN Human Rights Envoy Visits Myanmar as Opposition Leader Freed
The United Nations sent its human rights envoy to Myanmar for talks on elections scheduled for this year that would be the first in two decades as the military government released an opposition leader from house arrest.
Thai Government, UN, Civic Groups Look to Protect Burma Refugees
Civic and refugee activist groups hope talks with the Thai government will ensure the safety of Karen refugees from Burma who face deportation.
US, EU castigate Iran for human rights abuses
The United States and the European Union on Monday condemned human rights abuses in Iran in the wake of the Islamic Republic's announcement that it would expand its nuclear materials enrichment effort.
Canada’s Supreme Court Says Inmate’s Rights Were Violated at Guantánamo
OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Friday that Canadian agents violated the rights of the only Canadian citizen held at the Guantánamo Bay detention center when they interrogated him there. But the ruling, the second concerning the man’s p...
Thailand Prepared To Explain Its Record To Human Rights Watch
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday that he is prepared to clarify to New York-based Human Rights Watch on its recent charges that his government violated several human rights in 2009, Thai news agency (TNA) reported.
Over 2,000 Karens flee Myanmar army raids
BANGKOK (Reuters) - More than 2,000 ethnic Karen people have fled their villages in eastern Myanmar after deadly attacks by government troops in the past week, a humanitarian group said Saturday.
Groups slam Obama panel's plan to hold some Guantanamo detainees
A recommendation by the Obama administration's Guantanamo Detainee Review Task Force to continue holding nearly 50 detainees indefinitely without charges sparked fury among civil liberties groups Friday.
Human Rights Watch: Serious Backsliding on Human Rights in Thailand
The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva largely failed to fulfill its pledges to make human rights a priority, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2010.
Russian lawmakers back human rights reform
The lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia (Duma) on Friday ratified Protocol 14 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.
Increasing Numbers of North Korean Refugees Head to Thailand
An increasing number of North Korean refugees are arriving in northern Thailand, fleeing poverty and political oppression at home.
Thai Foreign Minister: Repatriation of ethnic Hmong to Laos done under human rights principles
Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya reaffirmed Wednesday that the repatriation of Thailand’s ethnic Hmong population to Laos was conducted under human rights principles, with all being well treated by both the Thai and Lao authori...
Britain strongly condemns China for execution of drug trafficker
Britain and China were engaged in a fierce diplomatic argument Tuesday after the Chinese government executed a British citizen for drug trafficking despite claims that he was mentally ill and unfit to stand trial.
Laos tells UN it's too soon to visit Hmong
BANGKOK -- Laos denied the U.N. immediate access to 4,500 ethnic Hmong who were forcibly repatriated from Thailand, saying Wednesday it would "complicate" matters but that international observers could visit later.
Safety fears for Hmong after Thai expulsion
BANGKOK — Human rights activists and diplomats voiced fears Tuesday for the fate of thousands of ethnic Hmong asylum seekers, including children, expelled by Thailand to its communist neighbour Laos.
Thailand begins deportation of more than 4,000 Hmong asylum seekers
Thailand began deporting more than 4,000 Hmong asylum seekers in secret Monday, drawing widespread international condemnation for sending members of the ethnic minority back to Laos.
Amnesty International 'appalled' by Thai plans to expel Hmong to Laos
A LEADING human rights group said today it was "appalled'' by the Thai government's plans to send more than 4,000 ethnic Hmong back to communist Laos, where many fear persecution.
Thailand firm on returning 4,000 Hmong to Laos
BANGKOK — Thailand confirmed Wednesday it will send more than 4,000 ethnic Hmong back to communist Laos, where they fear persecution, by the year's end -- despite serious international concerns about the move.
Rights groups fear Thailand will deport 4,000 Hmong to Laos
BANGKOK — Rights groups and diplomats have expressed deep concern that Thailand will deport 4,000 ethnic Hmong held in the northeast back to communist Laos, where they fear persecution, by the end of the year.