A delegation from the European Committee of the Regions, led by Jelena Drenjanin, visited Istanbul on December 16, 2025, calling for the immediate release of 28 arrested Turkish mayors and an end to pressure on opposition municipalities. The CoR emphasized the critical importance of local democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.
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.
Poland faces a legal and political debate after the EU Court of Justice ruled that it must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other EU states. Conservative factions and several Polish leaders have voiced strong opposition, citing national sovereignty and constitutional concerns, despite the ruling not mandating domestic same-sex marriage.
Human Rights Watch and the College of Notaries of Mexico City have released a comprehensive 70-page guide, 'Roadmap for Change,' to facilitate the implementation of a landmark Civil Code reform. This reform, effective December 2024, recognizes the full legal capacity of all adults, including people with disabilities and older persons, ensuring their right to make independent decisions and access support without forced guardianship.
The Australian Government has announced an additional investment of $41.7 million over three years to bolster efforts aimed at eliminating HIV transmission in Australia by 2030. This funding will support awareness, prevention, testing, and treatment initiatives, building on the nation's existing strategies.
Austria convened its sixth Violence Protection Summit on December 2, 2025, bringing together key ministers to discuss and implement enhanced measures against violence, particularly gender-based violence, amidst the '16 Days Against Violence' campaign.
Marriage equality advocates in Japan have formally appealed to the Supreme Court, urging the top judicial body to declare the country's lack of same-sex union recognition unconstitutional. This appeal follows a recent ruling by the Tokyo High Court, which upheld the existing ban, marking a significant setback for campaigners.
Japan's Hiroshima High Court has ruled that the July 2025 House of Councillors election was held in an 'unconstitutional state' due to a significant disparity in vote values, reaching a maximum gap of 3.13 times. This marks the 11th such ruling among 16 lawsuits, though all demands to nullify election results were rejected. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a unified judgment.
A landmark bill aimed at restoring Canadian citizenship to thousands of 'Lost Canadians' has successfully passed the Senate and received royal assent, officially becoming law. The legislation, known as Bill C-3, addresses historical injustices and a recent court ruling by allowing citizenship to be passed down beyond the first generation born abroad under certain conditions.
Spain's leftist government has launched over 480 new events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco's death in 1975 and the subsequent restoration of democracy. These initiatives, guided by the 2022 Democratic Memory Law, aim to educate, honor victims, and highlight Spain's democratic transformation.
Victoria has officially enacted Australia's first treaty with Aboriginal people, the Statewide Treaty Act 2025, on November 13, 2025. This landmark legislation acknowledges the enduring connection of Aboriginal Victorians to the land, recognizes the history of colonization, and establishes a permanent representative body for First Peoples. The treaty aims to embed truth-telling, shared decision-making, and structural reform, marking a significant step towards reconciliation and self-determination.
The U.S. Supreme Court on November 10, 2025, declined to hear a challenge to its 2015 landmark decision, Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The refusal to take up the case, brought by former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, signals the Court's continued affirmation of marriage equality.
Same-sex parents in Monaco face significant legal challenges as the Principality does not recognize their parental status, even if married abroad. Despite the introduction of cohabitation agreements in 2020, these do not grant parental rights, leaving non-biological parents without legal recognition and children vulnerable. Calls for legislative reform are growing from advocates and officials.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, allowed the Trump administration to enforce its policy requiring passports to reflect sex assigned at birth, effectively blocking the 'X' gender marker for transgender and non-binary individuals while litigation continues. This reverses a lower court's injunction.
Thousands gathered in Buenos Aires for the 34th annual LGBTQ+ Pride March on November 2, 2025, protesting against President Javier Milei's government policies, including the dissolution of gender-focused ministries and anti-discrimination bodies. The march highlighted a reported 70% increase in hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community in the first half of 2025.
A new report by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) reveals that the UK public exhibits tougher attitudes towards immigration and diversity compared to the US, contrasting with more liberal views on social issues like same-sex marriage and contraception. The study, published today, highlights significant differences in public opinion between the two nations.
Victoria has become the first Australian state to pass historic legislation paving the way for a treaty with its First Nations peoples. The Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 establishes a framework for a new relationship built on respect and self-determination, marking a significant step towards reconciliation.
Representatives from Kylemore Abbey, including Abbess Mother Karol O'Connell and Executive Director Liz McConnell, are set to visit New York City on November 4 to express gratitude to U.S. benefactors. The reception celebrates the successful completion of the new Benedictine Monastery, a significant project that received crucial support from American donors.
Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok announced that ideological disputes have concluded after recent constitutional amendments, stating that the Voice-SD party will now prioritize the needs of people and regions. The changes, effective November 1, 2025, include defining only two sexes and asserting national law's precedence over EU law in 'national identity' matters.
The South African Parliament's Select Committee on Security and Justice has initiated an investigation into the dual citizenship of Lesotho and South African citizens. The probe aims to address critical issues impacting service delivery in border towns, including access to social grants and healthcare, illegal crossings, and alleged corruption at border posts.
