Human Rights Watch's World Report 2026 details a significant escalation in Russia's crackdown on civil society and critics throughout 2025. The Kremlin expanded censorship, increased surveillance, and intensified the use of 'undermining state security' charges, leading to a surge in political prisoners and the banning of numerous organizations.
In a humanitarian gesture, Chile, led by President Gabriel Boric, offered citizenship to hundreds of Nicaraguans stripped of their nationality by the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime in February 2023. This move, mirroring a similar offer from Spain, aims to provide international protection to those rendered stateless for political reasons.
In a landmark ruling on January 30, 2026, the Supreme Court of India declared that the right to menstrual health is an integral part of the 'Right to Life' under Article 21 of the Constitution. The court mandated all schools, both government and private, to provide free sanitary pads, gender-segregated toilets, and implement awareness programs to destigmatize menstruation.
The UN Human Rights Council is holding a special session today, January 23, 2026, in Geneva to address the 'deteriorating human rights situation' and 'alarming violence' in Iran. The session was requested by multiple member states amid reports of thousands of deaths and widespread crackdowns on protesters.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports over 4,000 people killed and more than 26,000 detained in Iran's ongoing nationwide protest crackdown. The figures, which cannot be independently verified, highlight the severe response to demonstrations that have roots in both economic grievances and earlier protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death.
Iran's judiciary head, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has signaled that individuals arrested during ongoing nationwide protests will face rapid trials and executions. This declaration comes despite strong international warnings, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump, as human rights groups report thousands of deaths and detentions in the widespread unrest.
Five Spanish citizens, including prominent human rights lawyer Rocío San Miguel, have been released from detention in Venezuela and arrived in Madrid. Their release is part of a broader move by Venezuela's interim government and follows extensive diplomatic efforts by Spain.
An Argentine federal court has ordered the continuation of investigations into alleged crimes against humanity committed by members of Venezuela's national guard. The ruling, issued on January 8, 2026, applies the doctrine of universal jurisdiction to address abuses dating back to 2014, including torture and killings of dissidents.
Indonesia has been nominated as the sole candidate by Asia-Pacific countries for the 2026 UN Human Rights Council presidency. The nomination, set for formal endorsement on January 8, 2026, marks a significant step for Indonesia, which would lead the council for the first time. Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro is designated to assume the role.
Mary-Ann Stephenson, the new Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has cautioned that inflammatory rhetoric against migrants and a potential withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights could escalate racial tensions and undermine fundamental protections in the UK.
The U.N. General Assembly has adopted a resolution condemning North Korea's widespread human rights violations, including abductions of foreign nationals. South Korea co-sponsored the resolution, marking the 21st consecutive year of such condemnation by the international body.
The Dutch Council of State has advised against a proposal to explicitly outlaw ethnic profiling, stating it offers insufficient added value as the practice is already prohibited. The advisory body believes the bill would complicate the existing legal framework rather than clarify it, despite acknowledging that ethnic profiling still occurs.
UNESCO has officially marked December 15 as the first World Turkic Languages Day, a decision adopted during its 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The day highlights the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of over 200 million Turkic-speaking peoples and commemorates the decipherment of the Orkhon Inscriptions.
Denmark, backed by 26 other European nations including the UK and Italy, is advocating for a 'modernisation of the interpretation' of the European Convention on Human Rights. The initiative, formalized in a joint statement signed in Strasbourg, aims to ease the deportation of criminal foreign nationals by re-evaluating Articles 3 and 8, which concern the prohibition of inhuman treatment and the right to private and family life.
A coalition of United Nations special rapporteurs has accused the Turkish government of systematically criminalizing young women and children through broad counterterrorism operations. The UN experts cited the use of secret evidence and coerced interrogations, particularly targeting individuals perceived to be linked to the Gülen movement, in raids conducted in 2024 and 2025.
European nations, members of the Council of Europe, met in Strasbourg to consider changes to migrant protection frameworks, including reinterpreting the European Convention on Human Rights. This move, influenced by mainstream parties adopting stricter policies and rising far-right sentiment, has drawn criticism from rights advocates concerned about weakened protections.
Eswatini observed International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2025, with a key event in Mbabane. Stakeholders emphasized justice, dignity, and addressing social injustices such as land disputes, abuse of power, gender-based violence, and LGBTQ+ rights, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to advance human rights in the nation.
Europe's top human rights court has faulted Turkey for jailing former Kurdistan Workers' Party fighter Ayhan Aykaç based on a confession given without a lawyer present, deeming it a violation of his right to a fair trial. The ruling highlights the critical importance of legal assistance during initial interrogations.
Russia's Supreme Court has formally voided the European Convention on Human Rights, eliminating its application within the country's legal framework. This move, following Russia's 2022 withdrawal from the Council of Europe, signifies a complete disengagement from European human rights oversight and shifts emphasis to domestic law and alternative international instruments.
Former Senate President Kerryann Ifill has been appointed as Barbados' inaugural Human Rights Commissioner, with her tenure officially commencing on December 1, 2025. This historic appointment establishes an independent office aimed at strengthening national human rights protections and addressing various forms of discrimination across the island nation.
