Articles

DROI Mission to Türkiye Highlights Continued Human Rights Concerns and Stalled Democratic Progress

Members of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights conducted a mission to the Republic of Türkiye to assess human rights, the rule of law, and democratic governance within EU Türkiye relations. Led by rapporteur Isabel Wiseler-Lima, the delegation met governing and opposition parties, civil society organisations, journalists, and independent media. The mission evaluated implementation of European Parliament resolutions and examined conditions affecting political rights, judicial independence, and freedom of expression. Meetings and prison visits informed a critical assessment, highlighting democratic backsliding, misuse of terrorism legislation, and prolonged detention of political figures, while emphasising Convention obligations under international human rights.

Greenland Is Not for Sale

This article argues that attempts to treat Greenland as a strategic asset or negotiable territory undermine the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. It examines the issue through the lens of indigenous rights, international law, and the revival of expansionist foreign policy doctrines. The piece emphasizes that Greenland’s future must be decided by its people, not external powers.

How International Law Regulates the Use of Chemical Agents at Demonstrations

This article reports on an acid attack against a KontraS activist in Indonesia after he criticised the military’s growing role in civilian life. The case raises serious concerns about intimidation of human rights defenders, shrinking civic space, and the need for an independent investigation into alleged military involvement.

Cyprus’ Council of the EU Presidency and Strategic Priorities for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

International Conference on Blasphemy Allegations in Bangladesh Concluded

The Global Human Rights Defence held an international conference on January 24, 2026, in The Hague, focusing on “Blasphemy Allegations, Mob Violence and the Protection of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh.” The event discussed the rising violence against religious minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, noting over 2,829 incidents of lynching and targeted violence in 2025. Experts examined historical persecution patterns and stressed the lack of a specific blasphemy law in Bangladesh, contrasting it with strict penal code regulations. The conference also addressed the media’s role in these issues and the need for active human rights advocacy, with prominent speakers like Dr. Anthonie Holslag highlighting the urgency to protect vulnerable groups.

Keynote Address: The Relationship Between Blasphemy Laws, Impunity and the Phenomenon of “Creeping Genocide” in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

On February 12, Chief Advisor Muhammed Yunus reported that out of 645 incidents affecting minority communities since the 2024 Monsoon Revolution, only 71 were linked to communal violence, while most were attributed to general crime. This statement is challenged by various reports, including those from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which highlight ongoing persecution of indigenous groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, involving sexual violence and destruction of cultural sites. The document underscores the need to reconcile conflicting data on violence, particularly regarding identity politics and blasphemy laws that may facilitate ongoing violence, referred to as “creeping genocide.” Blasphemy laws are argued to legitimize mob violence, adding to the suffering of minority communities, raising concerns about possible extreme interpretations in the context of impending elections that could lead to increased atrocities.

International Conference in The Hague Examines Escalating Human Rights Violations Against Religious Minorities in Bangladesh

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) organized a conference in The Hague addressing human rights violations against religious minorities in Bangladesh. The event, titled “Blasphemy Allegations, Mob Violence and the Protection of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh,” focused on violence linked to blasphemy allegations and the legal frameworks sustaining impunity. It underscored the importance of international responses, legal accountability, and accurate media coverage to protect minority rights. Conference participants highlighted the need for ongoing international engagement to reconcile constitutional protections with the real-life challenges faced by these minorities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, between the Ditch and Deep Blue Bay

On February 12, 2026, Bangladesh is set for general elections and a constitutional referendum following the Monsoon uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Since August 2024, Professor Dr. Muhamad Yunis has led the country. The Bangladesh Jamat E Islami, in partnership with the Nationalist Children Party, seeks a religious transformation, raising issues surrounding women’s representation as they have not nominated female candidates despite claims of future equality. The new leadership has coincided with a rise in violence against minorities, heightening fears of oppression. The elections are crucial for the nation’s identity amid increasing conservative ideologies, with the election date highlighting tensions with International Mother Language Day and reflecting the conflict between historical legacy and future direction.

Electoral Processes in Myanmar: Political Exclusion and Legitimacy

The recent 2025-2026 Myanmar general elections were conducted under military control, in a fragmented and insecure environment. Many townships, particularly in ethnic minority regions, were excluded from voting, while opposition parties faced disqualification under restrictive laws. Coercion, repression, and limited access to political participation render the election unfree and unfair, in violation of international standards.

Kashmiri Hindus and Atrocity Crimes: A Legal Brief on Persecution and Forced Displacement

The report exposes the systematic ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus, framing their displacement as a coerced outcome of targeted killings, sexual violence, intimidation, and terror—not voluntary migration. It applies tribunal-tested legal standards to show that leaving the Valley was not a choice but a forced act, documenting crimes including murder, rape, and property destruction. The brief highlights the role of Pakistan-backed militant networks and local separatist groups in enabling persecution, offering a legal roadmap to hold perpetrators accountable under international law, including crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Systematic Erasure of the Right to Health in the Middle East

While international law defines health as a fundamental pillar of human dignity, the systematic targeting of hospitals and doctors across Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon reveals a deliberate dismantling of the systems that sustain life.

Roe v. Wade and its Unravelling in the United States

HRFP Condemns Attack on Kot Radha Kishan Church, Calls for Justice and Preventive Measures

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) strongly condemns the attack on a Church in Ghanaykay village, Kasur, where the Holy Bible was desecrated and the premises vandalised, spreading fear among the local Christian community. HRFP calls for swift and transparent justice, stressing that accountability must go beyond arrests to uncover motives and accomplices. The organization urges concrete measures to protect religious minorities and places of worship, highlights the urgent need to counter religious intolerance and hate-driven violence, and reiterates its demand for the abolition of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which are widely misused and have led to grave human rights violations.

Women and Armed Conflict

Ireland Continues to Withhold Justice From Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Schools

Authoritarianism, Resistance, and Repression: Unpacking Cameroon’s 2025 Presidential Election

Cameroon’s 2025 election extended Paul Biya’s 43-year rule amid allegations of fraud, repression, and killings. Opposition leaders rejected results, protests erupted, and security forces used lethal force. Longstanding authoritarianism, Anglophone conflict, mass arrests, and international concern underscore a deeply flawed electoral process and worsening human rights crisis, nationwide instability persists.

What Makes Climate Action Just?

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) highlighted the link between climate action and human rights at The Hague Talks on December 15, 2025. Discussions addressed climate change as a human rights and security issue, emphasizing the need for ethical responses to systemic inequalities. Key points included the risks of ignoring ethical considerations in climate strategies, critiques of profit-driven economic models, and the role of youth in climate justice. GHRD advocates for climate actions that promote equality and involve affected communities in decision-making.

Child Marriage in Sindh: How Marginalisation, Climate Crisis and Religious Extremism Fuel a Growing Human Rights Crisis

Sindh continues to face alarming human rights challenges, particularly affecting young girls from marginalised and minority communities. Despite existing laws, child marriage and forced religious conversions remain widespread due to weak enforcement, political resistance, poverty, and entrenched social norms. This article outlines the structural causes behind these violations and highlights the urgent need for stronger protections, accountability, and coordinated efforts to safeguard vulnerable girls in the region.

Italian Parliament Unanimously Votes to Make Femicide a Crime

Italy has taken an important step in combating gender-based violence by officially recognising femicide as a distinct criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment. Passed on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the law reflects years of activism and marks a turning point in how the country addresses systemic violence against women. GHRD welcomes this milestone and its potential to enhance justice and prevention.

Child Poverty as a Violation of Human Dignity under International Human Rights Law

Child poverty is a significant yet overlooked issue, impacting millions globally despite legal frameworks that recognize it as a violation of human rights. The article emphasizes that poverty affects not only the economic well-being of children but also their development and future opportunities. Various international treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, obligate governments to ensure every child’s access to essential needs like nutrition, education, and healthcare. The persistence of child poverty, particularly in the EU where over 20 million children are at risk, highlights the gap between laws and actual conditions, urging a need for political accountability and effective resource allocation to improve the lives of affected children.

Youth Empowerment: Digital Challenges and Democratic Resilience

The event at the European Parliament on December 10, 2025, focused on youth empowerment, addressing challenges such as misinformation and digital media manipulation. Experts emphasized the need for media literacy and effective regulatory frameworks, like the Digital Services Act, while noting gaps in current laws. Concerns about a child protection crisis related to social media’s impact on minors were discussed. The EU aims to empower youth through inclusion and active participation in decision-making, highlighting the significance of youth empowerment for the future of European democracy.