Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 9 December 2015
China slammed in UN review; Tehran Symphony Orchestra walks out of a wrestling match; Photo Ark highlights climate change dangers; one year on since torture report; human rights activist freed from Azerbaijan prison but four Syrian defenders still missing and two more stand trial in Kazakhstan.
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The United Nations slammed China for not making progress to eradicate torture in the country. Despite excuses from the Chinese government, the fifth review of China under the Convention Against Torture shows a need for legal reform and accountability to counter the deplorable use of torture in detention. The report's recommendations are laudable, but will Beijing listen?
The Tehran Symphony Orchestra was scheduled to perform the national anthem at a wrestling tournament. When female members were given the ultimatium to don hijabs or not perform, the orchestra walked out in unison. Bravo.
The Vatican lit up with photographs of animals to highlight the perils of climate change.
It has been one year since the release of the United States Senate Torture Report. There has been no accountability on the part of the torturers or those who ordered it, but there is a path to justice should US officials choose stand against torture continuing.
Imprisoned Azerbaijani rights activist Leyla Yunus is free after spending 17 months in prison. Last month, her husband was also released. But they never should have been jailed in the first place, and many more remain unjustly behind bars.
Today marks two years since human rights defender Razan Zaitouneh and three of her colleagues were abducted in Syria when unknown attackers stormed the group's office. They remain missing.