Human rights groups say Wagner mercenaries helped Malian army kill civilians

Dakar, Senegal— A Russian mercenary group known as Wagner is helping government forces in central and northern Mali carry out raids and drone strikes that have killed dozens of civilians, including many children, human rights groups said in reports released this week. Mali and its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger have been battling an insurgency … Read more

Civil Rights Icon Malcolm X Receives Day of Recognition in Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska— Malcolm X received the recognition many sought for his contributions to the civil rights movement in the conservative Midwestern state where he was born, and for years was denied the honor as too controversial. The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday passed a bill recognizing the civil rights icon each year on May 19, the … Read more

Reproductive rights key for voters in next US presidential election

US President Joe Biden has put women’s health and reproductive rights at the center of his campaign ahead of the November 5 election. Biden, a Democrat, will face Republican challenger former President Donald Trump, who has spoken about abortion but has not fully clarified his stance. VOA’s Laurel Bowman reports. Follow us on Google news … Read more

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warns Israel that aid restrictions could amount to war crimes

United Nations – The United Nations human rights commissioner said on Tuesday that looming famine in the Gaza Strip is the result of Israeli restrictions on the access and distribution of humanitarian aid, which he warned could amount to war crimes. “The extent to which Israel continues to restrict aid access to Gaza, and the … Read more

UN investigators find human rights abuses in Iran may amount to crimes against humanity

Geneva- The United Nations fact-finding mission said Iran’s violent repression of peaceful protests and widespread, systematic human rights violations may in many cases amount to crimes against humanity. In its first report to the U.N. Human Rights Council, the three-member team of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran accused the Iranian government of committing … Read more

Australia’s Aboriginals vote in historic rights vote

Sydney – A vote for Australia’s first state-based Aboriginal Voices Parliament will be held on Saturday. The agency will provide advice to the South Australian government and legislators on Aboriginal issues. The South Australian Aboriginal Voices Parliament will be the elected representative body for the state’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, made up of … Read more

U.S. Vice President Harris visits women’s health clinic to stress importance of abortion rights

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited a clinic that provides abortion services in the Midwestern state of Minnesota on Thursday to show Democratic support for women’s reproductive rights. Her office said it was the first time two of the nation’s top leaders had visited such a medical facility. Abortion rights remain a fluid issue ahead … Read more

World’s largest drone maker expands in U.S. amid rights abuse accusations

Washington — Chinese drone maker DJI is expanding in the United States, opening its first flagship store in New York City amid concerns over alleged human rights abuses and ties to the Chinese military. DJI’s “first concept store” in North America on New York’s Fifth Avenue welcomes customers into a futuristic, minimalist shopping space. The … Read more

Minor serves lunch to Delhi child rights body members, panel seeks action

NCPCR asked IHC to rescue the minor children. New Delhi: The NCPCR, the apex child rights body, sought an FIR against the venue management and contractors of India Habitat Center for allegedly employing child labor after members of the NCPCR enjoyed lunch served by minor children. PTI’s attempts to contact the India Habitat Center (IHC) … Read more

UN Secretary-General worries about global regression of women’s rights

United Nations – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday that the rights of women and girls around the world are being regressed, while millions of people are bearing the brunt of war and conflict. “Hard-won progress is being reversed,” Guterres told hundreds of women’s rights advocates, officials and activists at the opening of … Read more