Rights

Government’s Attempt to Strip Climate Protesters of Legal Defence Sparks Outcry Over Jury Rights

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London, United Kingdom – A high-profile climate activist, who was acquitted last year of criminal damage in a climate trial, is speaking out against the attorney general’s attempt to remove one of the last remaining legal defenses for climate protesters. The case is heading to the court of appeal on Wednesday, where the attorney general, Victoria Prentis, will argue that the defense used by the activist should no longer be available to climate activists. The defense in question, known as “lawful excuse,” allows defendants to argue that they had a lawful excuse for their actions … Read more

Venezuela Orders United Nations’ Human Rights Office to Suspend Operations Amidst Controversy

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CARACAS, Venezuela – The United Nations human rights office has been ordered to suspend operations in Venezuela following the detention of human rights lawyer Rocio San Miguel. San Miguel was arrested on allegations of plotting to destabilize the country, a charge that she denies. The Venezuelan government has accused the UN office of supporting individuals involved in assassination attempts and coup plots. In response, the government has requested all UN personnel connected to the office to leave the country within three days. The United States and the UN have condemned the detention of San Miguel, … Read more

Ethiopian Government Uses State of Emergency as a Tool for Silencing Dissent and Violating Human Rights, says Amnesty International

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian government has come under fire for using the state of emergency as a means to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices. Amnesty International has accused authorities of arbitrarily detaining politicians critical of the government and journalists, while also highlighting the lack of transparency and violation of basic rights. The state of emergency was initially implemented in August 2023 amidst escalating violence in the Amhara region between government forces and the Fano militia. The emergency measures granted authorities broad powers, including the ability to arrest suspects without a court warrant, … Read more

Michigan Passes Groundbreaking Laws in 2023: From Gun Safety to LGBTQ+ Rights, Here’s What You Need to Know

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LANSING, Mich. – Michigan residents will need to familiarize themselves with the new laws and amendments that were passed in 2023 and recently went into effect. Taking advantage of the first combined Democratic majority in the state House, Senate, and governor’s seat in decades, lawmakers approved a range of bills related to various issues including gun safety, minimum wage, LGBTQ+ protections, and the “right-to-work” policy. The laws relating to gun safety were enacted following the tragic mass shootings at Michigan State University and Oxford High School in previous years. The legislation includes the establishment of … Read more