The National People's Congress in China is advancing legislative efforts aimed at promoting ethnic unity. While the government frames the initiative as a means to foster national cohesion and social stability, international observers and human rights advocates have expressed concerns that the measures may further restrict the rights of ethnic minority groups.
Indonesian police reportedly unlawfully dispersed, beat, and detained 11 Papuan protesters in Merauke City, South Papua, on January 25, 2026. A Human Rights Watch report, released on February 13, 2026, condemned the actions and called for an investigation into the incident, which occurred during a protest against the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) project.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma has filed a new urgent application in the High Court, seeking to overturn Justice Sisi Khampepe's decision to dismiss his recusal bid from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into alleged efforts to stop the investigation or prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases. Zuma alleges bias due to Khampepe's past roles and previous judgments against him.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has launched an investigation into sportswear giant Nike, alleging discrimination against white employees through its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The probe examines whether Nike's DEI targets led to unlawful disparate treatment, prompting a subpoena enforcement action for company records.
Human Rights Watch has released its World Report 2026, sharply criticizing Australia's expanded abusive refugee and migrant policies implemented in 2025. The report highlights the controversial Nauru deportation deal, which Human Rights Watch states denies basic procedural fairness rights to those transferred. This criticism follows a January 2025 UN Human Rights Committee ruling that Australia remains responsible for asylum seekers on Nauru.
Canada officially marks the beginning of Black History Month, dedicating February to celebrating the profound contributions and achievements of Black Canadians. The 2026 theme, '30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries,' emphasizes both historical legacies and future aspirations. Government initiatives and community events nationwide will underscore this period of reflection and celebration.
Thousands have protested in Paris following the death of 35-year-old Mauritian migrant worker El Hacen Diarra in police custody on January 14. Videos show a violent arrest, prompting calls for justice and an investigation into alleged police brutality.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that caste discrimination can only be eliminated if the concept of caste is first removed from people's minds. Speaking at a 'Jan Sangoshthi' in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, he predicted this could happen within 10-12 years if pursued honestly. He emphasized the RSS's focus on nation-building through character development.
Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, died in Dehradun on December 26 after being critically injured in an alleged attack on December 9. While his family claims racial slurs preceded the assault, Dehradun police state they have found no evidence of racial motivation. Five individuals have been arrested, with one accused still at large.
Immigrant rights advocates and South Sudanese migrants filed a federal lawsuit in Boston challenging the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 200 South Sudanese nationals. The suit argues the termination is unlawful, discriminatory, and ignores ongoing instability in South Sudan, where TPS is set to expire on January 5, 2026.
The Canadian government has presented a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, committing $35.5 billion to reform the First Nations Child and Family Services program. The initiative aims to end discriminatory underfunding and foster First Nations-led regional agreements to keep children connected to their communities and culture.
Germany marked the 40th anniversary of Ramazan Avcı's death, a Turkish migrant killed in a 1985 neo-Nazi attack in Hamburg. A memorial ceremony in Ramazan Avcı Square saw renewed calls for official recognition of the crime as racially motivated and a formal apology from German authorities, emphasizing the ongoing fight against far-right violence.
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.
Brazil's Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that structural racism is present in the country, ordering public authorities to implement concrete measures within a year to combat persistent racial inequalities across education, employment, healthcare, and public security.
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.
Anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies are escalating in the UK and across Europe, driven by migration's rise on the political agenda and growing support for right-wing parties. Recent policy changes include stricter settlement rules, increased salary thresholds for visas, and the cancellation of the controversial Rwanda plan by the new Labour government, which has also introduced its own tough measures.
A new Human Rights Watch report, 'Protected No More: Uyghurs in Türkiye,' reveals that Turkey is increasingly restricting the legal residency of Uyghurs and deporting some to third countries. These actions place Uyghurs at severe risk of forced return to China, where they face potential detention and ill-treatment, violating international non-refoulement principles.
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.
A University of Liverpool study, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, found babies born to Black mothers in England and Wales are 81% more likely to die in neonatal care compared to those born to white mothers. The analysis of over 700,000 admissions between 2012-2022 highlights significant ethnic and socioeconomic disparities.
The Trump administration announced a historic low refugee admissions cap of 7,500 for Fiscal Year 2026, primarily allocating spots to Afrikaners from South Africa. This decision, effective October 1, 2025, marks the lowest ceiling since the U.S. refugee program's 1980 inception and has drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations.
