Police in Ferguson, Missouri should stop using intimidation tactics against peaceful protesters and journalists following the police shooting of a young African-American man, Michael Brown. Human Rights Watch says Ferguson police are "compounding problems" with threats and the use of unnecessary force, and should aim to uphold basic rights to peaceful assembly and free speech, rather than undermine them.
Meanwhile, as the country reels from civil unrest sparked by Michael Brown's killing, it's a somewhat awkward moment for the US to be defending its record on "combating racial discrimination" before a UN committee in Geneva this week.
Ukraine says its border guards are inspecting a controversial Russian aid convoy parked at the countries' shared frontier. Ukraine fears the convoy may carry military supplies for the rebels, an accusation Russia has rejected. Meanwhile there are some reports that Russian military vehicles are heading into Ukrainian territory.
Azerbaijan should be suspended from membership of an international transparency group because of its "ongoing offensive" against human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations. Human Rights Watch says Azerbaijan is "squeezing activist groups to breaking point" while claiming to international audiences that it’s a leader on open civic participation and good governance.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has resigned - a move welcomed by the UN and US. Maliki ruled Iraq for eight years, but his rule was divisive and he was accused of favouring the country's Shia majority. But the country remains in the midst of a humanitarian catastrophe with tens of thousands of civilians, including scores from the Yazidi minority, forced to flee their homes.
