News of rights

China and Russia win seats on UN rights council, Saudis lose

14-10-2020 08:53 China, Russia and Cuba win seats on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, despite opposition from activist groups over their abysmal human rights records. Saudi Arabia misses out.

In thrall to an abject failure

10-10-2020 10:21 Like many others, the Kirchnerites put their own ideological hang-ups first and human rights a long way second.

by James Neilson

Chile President Piñera condemns police violence against protesters

07-10-2020 01:09 Sebastián Piñera condemns police violence against protesters in Santiago after an officer threw a young demonstrator from a bridge.

Argentina’s new obsession is watching foreign reserves evaporate

05-10-2020 16:14 At brokerages and banks, the calls come in every day with the same question: How many dollars does the Central Bank actually have?

Court grants Etchecolatz house arrest – but other rulings keep him behind bars

26-09-2020 09:35 Infamous human rights violator, guilty of multiple crimes against humanity dating back to 1976-1983 military dictatorship, granted house arrest by court, but previous rulings prevent him from leaving jail.

Volkswagen pay-out to Brazil regime victims reopens debate on justice

25-09-2020 12:31 Volkswagen confirms it has signed a historic deal with the Brazilian state and federal prosecutors to pay US$6.4 million in compensation for its part in atrocities of military dictatorship.

Experts cite 'crimes against humanity' in Maduro's Venezuela

16-09-2020 15:25 Independent experts for UN's top human rights body accuse Maduro administration of torture and killings, claiming security forces have used techniques like electric shocks, genital mutilation and asphyxiation against detainees.

Victims, feminists take over Mexico human rights office

09-09-2020 08:49 Demanding justice for victims of femicide, gender violence, sexual assault, and forced disappearances, feminist activists and victims' relatives have taken over the offices of Mexico's Human Rights Commission.

Former Spanish minister questioned by local judge over Franco-era deaths

04-09-2020 14:20 Rodolfo Martín Villa, 85, served as Spain's interior minister in the late 1970s. On Thursday, during a five-hour session, he testified over his alleged role in 12 deaths during Spain's transition to democracy.

Ex-Spanish minister to testify over Franco-era deaths before Argentine judge

03-09-2020 17:06 Rodolfo Martín Villa, 85, who served as Spain's interior minister in the late 1970s, will testify from the Argentine Embassy in Madrid, answering questions from Buenos Aires over alleged role in 12 violent deaths dating back to end of Franco dictatorship.

Brazil expands requirements for abortion in rape cases

30-08-2020 09:54 Brazil expanded its requirements Friday for rape victims seeking an abortion, including a rule that medical staff must tell the woman she can see the embryo or foetus via ultrasound.

United Nations condemns spike in Colombia 'massacres'

18-08-2020 08:46 The United Nations peace mission in Colombia condemns a spiral of violence engulfing the country, saying it had documented 33 massacres so far this year.

Portland: Trump administration agrees to withdraw federal forces

29-07-2020 23:53 US government agrees conditional withdrawal of federal forces to defuse weeks of clashes in the city of Portland.

Trump’s show of federal force sparks alarm in US cities

22-07-2020 13:01 Trump responds to protests and vandalism of federal buildings by deploying federal force on protesters in Portland without notifying local authorities. Move draws broad criticism from both local and national leaders.

Colombia: Illegal groups using violence to enforce lockdowns

16-07-2020 23:27 Illegal armed militias are imposing strict Covid-19 quarantines in parts of Colombia where the state has a weak presence, threatening those who don’t comply, Human Rights Watch has warned.

Argentina celebrates a decade of legal same-sex marriage

15-07-2020 15:20 Ten years on from the nation's landmark marriage equality law, buildings in Buenos Aires go rainbow-coloured to celebrate a decade of increasing rights and visibility for its LGBT+ community.

Venezuela accuses US of blocking ability to pay UN dues

22-06-2020 19:26 Venezuela accuses United States of blocking its ability to pay dues to the United Nations, making it was the only country unable to vote in the UN General Assembly elections on June 17.

‘It’s always the same,’ says relative of attacked Qom family in Chaco

06-06-2020 08:56 The violent police invasion of Qom community dwellings in Banderas Argentinas, Chaco, has sparked outrage.

by Ayelén Bonino

Ex-Navy officer wanted for dictatorship crimes arrested in Brazil

12-05-2020 17:51 Gonzalo Sánchez, 69, also known as "Chispa," taken into custody. He is suspected of participating in dozens of disappearances and killings, including that of journalist and writer Rodolfo Walsh in 1977.

France strips jailed human rights violator of decoration

09-05-2020 10:51 Naval officer Ricardo Cavallo, alias "Sérpico" or "Marcelo,” was part of Task Force 332, which was responsible for thousands of kidnaps, tortures, rapes and murders at ESMA.