Human Rights
"Batman" star roughed up in bid to visit Chinese blind activist
Hollywood actor Christian Bale was roughed up by Chinese security guards as he attempted to visit a blind legal activist whose detention has sparked a domestic and international outcry, CNN reported on Friday.
NAACP warns black and Hispanic Americans could lose right to vote
The largest civil rights group in America, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is petitioning the UN over what it sees as a concerted efforted to disenfranchise black and Latino voters ahead of next year's presi...
Saudi women get right to vote, but can't drive yet
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, considered a reformer by the standards of his own ultraconservative kingdom, decreed on Sunday that women will for the first time have the right to vote and run in local elections due in 2015.
Media rights group warns Egypt blogger may die in jail
A media watchdog on Saturday called for the immediate release of a blogger sentenced by Egypt's military to three years in jail, warning that he might die after he stopped eating and drinking.
Clinton Finally Expresses ‘Support’ for Saudi Women Drivers
Although Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has championed women’s rights from Azerbaijan to Zambia, it took her weeks to respond to an appeal to publicly support a campaign by Saudi women to be permitted to drive.
One third of Hong Kong teachers thinks torture acceptable
One in three liberal studies teachers in Hong Kong believe it is acceptable for police to use torture when interrogating suspected criminals, a survey published Friday said.
Facebook page calls for beating Saudi women drivers
A campaign has been launched on Facebook calling for men to beat Saudi women who drive their cars in a planned protest next month against the ultra-conservative kingdom's ban on women taking the wheel.
‘Free’ Countries Once Again a Minority on U.N. Human Rights Council
This year’s election for the U.N. Human Rights Council has, once again, produced a body that has fewer “free” countries – 21 of a total of 47 – and has more than one-third of the seats held by members of the Islamic bloc.
Amnesty: Egypt still abusing human rights
Egyptian authorities continue to restrict freedom of assembly, torture detainees and try civilians in military courts, highlighting the urgent need for reform, Amnesty International said Thursday.
48 Women Raped Every Hour In Congo, Study Finds
The African nation of Congo has been called the worst place on earth to be a woman. A new study released Wednesday shows that it's even worse than previously thought: 1,152 women are raped every day, a rate equal to 48 per hour.
UN rights boss asks US for facts on bin Laden killing
The United Nations' top human rights official called on the United States on Tuesday to give the U.N. details about Osama bin Laden's killing and said that all counter-terrorism operations must respect international law.
Despite Reports of Brutality Toward Civilians, Syria to Join U.N.'s Human Rights Council
The brutal crackdown by Syrian President Bashar Assad may finally be getting the attention of world leaders -- but apparently not enough to stop Syria from becoming the newest member of the U.N. Human Rights Council.
At least 400 civilians killed in Syria revolt: group
Syrian security forces have shot dead at least 400 civilians in their campaign to crush month-long pro-democracy protests, Syrian human rights organization Sawasiah said on Tuesday.
Jimmy Carter says religious leaders discriminate against women
Former President Jimmy Carter says much of the discrimination and abuse suffered by women around the world is attributable to a belief "that women are inferior in the eyes of God."
Secret shame of Egypt's army: Women protesters were forced to have 'virginity checks' after being arrested in Tahrir Square
Women arrested by the Egyptian police during protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square were subjected to forced 'virginity tests', according to Amnesty International.
UN warns of 'shocking' abuses in Bahrain
The United Nations warned on Thursday of "shocking and illegal" abuses in Bahrain after a bloody crackdown on Shiite-led protesters which has alarmed the United States and infuriated the Shiite world.
US faces first scrutiny by UN rights council
The United States will come under the spotlight at the UN's top human rights assembly's for the first time over the coming week along with other countries that face scrutiny by the Human Rights Council.
US admits human rights shortcomings in UN report
The Obama administration has told the United Nations that America's human rights record is less than perfect while stressing that the U.S. political system has built-in safeguards that promote improvements.
Inside Mexico's Drug War, Americans Allege Abuse
Two Americans were driving back to El Paso, Texas, last December after an afternoon across the border in Ciudad Juárez. A few blocks from the border, they were surrounded by Mexican army trucks and pulled from their Dodge Ram.
China ponders closing 'outdated' re-education labour camps
China is considering closing its vast network of labour camps, allowing an unprecedented public debate over the controversial "re-education" programme.