By Besir Ozbek, Floriane Borel, and Mitch Paquette
Each week students at the University of Essex Human Rights Centre prepare an overview of the past week’s human rights related news stories from around the world.
This week’s story in focus
A court in The Hague, Netherlands heard the first arguments on Tuesday, February 12th in a suit against Royal Dutch Shell Plc alleging the company’s complicity in the executions of nine Ogoni activists by the Nigerian authorities in 1995. The case is brought by four widows who claim that their husbands were targeted for their participation in protests against Shell’s subsidiary in Nigeria. One of the claimants who testified on Tuesday, Esther Kiobel, originally filed a case against Shell in the United States, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that the US did not have jurisdiction. They seek compensation and a public apology for the company’s role in violations of their husbands’ physical integrity, right to a fair trial, and right to life, as well as their own right to a family life. Shell denies any connection to the executions.
The allegations in the case concern the Nigerian military’s repression of Ogoni protests against Shell’s pollution during the 1990s, which resulted in widespread human rights violations. Environmental activists continue to face tremendous risk across the globe. Last year 77% of the 321 activists targeted and killed for their work were defending land and environmental rights.
International
New Findings Show Lack of Durable Solutions for Displaced Iraqis – International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Nationalist strongmen are bent on controlling women’s bodies – The Guardian
Danish economist picked to be new UN environment chief – France 24
Africa
Nigeria postpones election just hours before polls due to open – The Guardian
Dozens feared dead in Zimbabwe gold mine flood – Al Jazeera
Sexual Violence on the Rise in South Sudan, U.N. Says – New York Times
Europe
Netherlands: After 23 years, appalling allegations against Shell to be heard in court – Amnesty International
Three Syrians arrested in Germany and France for suspected crimes against humanity – Thomson Reuters Foundation
London schoolgirl who fled to join Isis wants to return to UK – The Guardian
Turkey: End Ankara Ban on LGBTI Events – Human Rights Watch
Thousands of UK students skip school for climate change – Al Jazeera
Austria plans tougher sentences for crimes against women – Thomson Reuters Foundation
Latin America and the Caribbean
El Chapo trial: Mexican drug cartel boss found guilty – The Guardian
Haiti’s President says he won’t step down as violent protests grip the capital – Time
Venezuela crisis: aid still blocked in high-stakes power struggle – Al Jazeera
Brazil’s indigenous groups decry Bolsonaro’s escalating attacks – Al Jazeera
MENA
El-Sisi May Rule Egypt Until 2034 Under Parliamentary Plan – New York Times
Israel trims funds to Palestinians over militant stipends – Reuters
UK’s Saudi weapons sales unlawful, Lords committee finds – The Guardian
Land Mines Block Saudi-Led Assault in Yemen, Killing Civilians – New York Times
North America
Why Ilhan Omar and Elliott Abrams tangled over U.S. foreign policy – New York Times
Pompeo says US ‘not covering up’ Jamal Khashoggi’s murder – Al Jazeera
McConnell: Senate will vote on the Green New Deal – Politico
3 tests the Green New Deal must pass to work – National Geographic
Oceania
Landmark Rocky Hill ruling could pave the way for more courts to choose climate over coal – ABC News
Manus Island refugee No QNK002: Abdul Aziz Muhamat wins international human rights prize – The Guardian
Australia prepares for up to 300 medical transfers after refugee amendment – Thomson Reuters Foundation
Australia Is Reopening Christmas Island Detention Center in Anticipation of New Asylum Seekers – Time Magazine
A rare Australian victory for the cause of human rights – The Sydney Morning Herald
South and South-East Asia
Myanmar army chief denies systematic persecution of Rohingya – Thomson Reuters Foundation
Thailand: Lift Ban on Outspoken TV Station – Human Rights Watch
Life in Kabul’s squatter camps highlights challenge for any Afghan peace – Thomson Reuters Foundation
Same-Sex Couples Seek Marriage Equality in Japan With Valentine’s Day Lawsuits – Global Citizen
Amnesty India staff complain of harassment and discrimination – The Guardian
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are the author(s) alone
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